LUTHER’S CATECHISM
The Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther
and
an Exposition for Children and Adults
Written in Contemporary English
David P. Kuske
NORTHWESTERN PUBLISHING HOUSE
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Fifth printing,
Fourth printing,
Third printing,
Second printing,
2013
2010
2006
2003
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY
BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights
reserved worldwide.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
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Produced by the Board for Parish Services
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Copyright © 1982, 1989, 1998
Northwestern Publishing House
1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee, WI 53226-3284
All rights reserved.
3rd edition 1998
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 978-0-8100-0874-8
CONTENTS
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
vii
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
The Ten Commandments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Creed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Lord’s Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Use of the Keys and Confession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Sacrament of Holy Communion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Nicene Creed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Daily Prayers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
4
6
9
11
13
15
16
17
EXPOSITION OF LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
Martin Luther, the Author of the Small Catechism. . . . . . . . .
20
The Bible. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
The Ten Commandments
The Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The First Commandment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Second Commandment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Third Commandment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Fourth Commandment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Fifth Commandment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Sixth Commandment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42
53
59
67
77
85
91
iii
The Seventh Commandment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Eighth Commandment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Ninth Commandment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Tenth Commandment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
99
106
112
112
121
The Creed
The Gospel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The First Article. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Second Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Third Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
128
135
151
181
Holy Baptism
The Institution of Baptism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Blessings of Baptism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Baptism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Meaning of Baptism for Our Daily Life . . . . . . . . . . . .
224
230
233
237
Holy Communion
The Institution of Holy Communion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Blessings of Holy Communion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Holy Communion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Reception of Holy Communion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
244
248
251
254
The Use of the Keys and Confession
The Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Public Use of the Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Confession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
262
266
273
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
280
283
iv
The First Petition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Second Petition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Third Petition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Fourth Petition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Fifth Petition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Sixth Petition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Seventh Petition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Doxology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
286
290
294
300
304
308
312
316
Christian Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
320
Appendix
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pronouncing Vocabulary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Index of Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Index of Scripture Passages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
326
343
347
369
v
PREFACE
Dr. Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism so that all Christians
might have a short and simple summary of the main truths that the
Bible teaches.
The first part of this book is a translation of the Small Catechism,
which Luther wrote in German in 1529. The second part of this book
is an exposition or explanation of what Luther wrote.
In the exposition, each part of Luther’s Small Catechism is
explained in a question and answer form. After each question there are
Scripture passages that give the Bible’s answer to the question. The
words in italics in each passage indicate the part of the passage that is
most important for answering the question. The answer merely summarizes what the Scripture passages teach.
At various points in the exposition there are explanations of terms
and customs that are well-known in our Lutheran church. Throughout
the exposition there are diagrams which illustrate the main points
which were taught in that section.
May you study this book carefully and regularly, and may you return
to it often to review and deepen your knowledge of the main truths that
the Bible teaches.
David P. Kuske
vii
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
The Ten Commandments
As the head of the family should teach them in the simplest way to
those in his household.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
You shall have no other gods.
What does this mean?
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not use his name to curse,
swear, lie, or deceive, or use witchcraft, but call upon God’s name in
every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and
his Word, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.
1
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT
Honor your father and mother, that it may go well
with you and that you may enjoy long life on the
earth.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not dishonor or anger our
parents and others in authority, but honor, serve, and obey them,
and give them love and respect.
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not murder.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need.
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not commit adultery.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we lead a pure and decent life in
words and actions, and that husband and wife love and honor each
other.
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not steal.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not take our neighbor’s
money or property, or get it by dishonest dealing, but help him to
improve and protect his property and means of income.
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not give false testimony against your
neighbor.
What does this mean?
2
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
We should fear and love God that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, or give him a bad name, but defend him, speak well
of him, and take his words and actions in the kindest possible way.
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not scheme to get our
neighbor’s inheritance or house, or obtain it by a show of right, but
do all we can to help him keep it.
THE TENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, workers,
animals, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not force or entice away our
neighbor’s spouse, workers, or animals, but urge them to stay and
do their duty.
THE CONCLUSION
What does God say about all these commandments?
He says, “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God,
punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to
the third and fourth generation of those who hate
me, but showing love to a thousand generations of
those who love me and keep my commandments.”
What does this mean?
God threatens to punish all who transgress these commandments. Therefore we should fear his anger and not disobey what
he commands.
But he promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these
commandments. Therefore we should love and trust in him and
gladly obey what he commands.
3
The Creed
As the head of the family should teach it in the simplest way
to those in his household.
THE FIRST ARTICLE
(Creation)
I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven
and earth.
What does this mean?
I believe that God created me and all that exists, and that he gave
me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my mind
and all my abilities.
And I believe that God still preserves me by richly and daily
providing clothing and shoes, food and drink, property and home,
spouse and children, land, cattle, and all I own, and all I need to
keep my body and life. God also preserves me by defending me
against all danger, guarding and protecting me from all evil. All this
God does only because he is my good and merciful Father in
heaven, and not because I have earned or deserved it. For all this I
ought to thank and praise, to serve and obey him.
This is most certainly true.
THE SECOND ARTICLE
(Redemption)
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who
was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin
Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The
third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended
into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God
the Father almighty. From there he will come to
judge the living and the dead.
4
THE CREED
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from
eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord.
He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased
and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the
devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and with
his innocent suffering and death.
All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his
kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence,
and blessedness, just as he has risen from death and lives and
rules eternally.
This is most certainly true.
THE THIRD ARTICLE
(Sanctification)
I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian
church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness
of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life
everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe
in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him.
But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened
me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the
same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole
Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the
one true faith.
In this Christian church he daily and fully forgives all sins to me
and all believers.
On the Last Day he will raise me and all the dead and give eternal
life to me and all believers in Christ.
This is most certainly true.
5
The Lord’s Prayer
As the head of the family should teach it in the simplest way
to those in his household.
THE ADDRESS
Our Father in heaven.
What does this mean?
With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that he is our
true Father and that we are his true children, so that we may pray
to him as boldly and confidently as dear children ask their dear
father.
THE FIRST PETITION
Hallowed be your name.
What does this mean?
God’s name is certainly holy by itself, but we pray in this petition that
we too may keep it holy.
How is God’s name kept holy?
God’s name is kept holy when his Word is taught in its truth and
purity and we as children of God lead holy lives according to it. Help
us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives
contrary to God’s Word dishonors God’s name among us. Keep us
from doing this, dear Father in heaven!
THE SECOND PETITION
Your kingdom come.
What does this mean?
God’s kingdom certainly comes by itself even without our prayer,
but we pray in this petition that it may also come to us.
How does God’s kingdom come?
6
THE LORD’S PRAYER
God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives his Holy
Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and lead a
godly life now on earth and forever in heaven.
THE THIRD PETITION
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
What does this mean?
God’s good and gracious will certainly is done without our prayer,
but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is God’s will done?
God’s will is done when he breaks and defeats every evil plan and
purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, which try to
prevent us from keeping God’s name holy and letting his kingdom
come. And God’s will is done when he strengthens and keeps us
firm in his Word and in the faith as long as we live. This is his good
and gracious will.
THE FOURTH PETITION
Give us today our daily bread.
What does this mean?
God surely gives daily bread without our asking, even to all the
wicked, but we pray in this petition that he would lead us to realize
this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What, then, is meant by daily bread?
Daily bread includes everything that we need for our bodily
welfare, such as food and drink, clothing and shoes, house and
home, land and cattle, money and goods, a godly spouse, godly
children, godly workers, godly and faithful leaders, good government, good weather, peace and order, health, a good name, good
friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.
THE FIFTH PETITION
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin
against us.
What does this mean?
7
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look
upon our sins or because of them deny our prayers; for we are worthy of none of the things for which we ask, neither have we deserved
them, but we ask that he would give them all to us by grace; for we
daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment.
So we too will forgive from the heart and gladly do good to those
who sin against us.
THE SIXTH PETITION
Lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean?
God surely tempts no one to sin, but we pray in this petition that God
would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh
may not deceive us or lead us into false belief, despair, and other
great and shameful sins; and though we are tempted by them, we
pray that we may overcome and win the victory.
THE SEVENTH PETITION
But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean?
In conclusion, we pray in this petition that our Father in heaven
would deliver us from every evil that threatens body and soul, property and reputation, and finally when our last hour comes, grant us
a blessed end and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to
himself in heaven.
THE DOXOLOGY
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.
What does this mean?
We can be sure that these petitions are acceptable to our Father
in heaven and are heard by him, for he himself has commanded us
to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. Therefore we say,
“Amen. Yes, it shall be so.”
8
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
As the head of the family should teach it in the simplest way
to those in his household.
THE INSTITUTION OF BAPTISM
First: What is Baptism?
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used by God’s
command and connected with God’s Word.
Which is that word of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew, “Go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
THE BLESSINGS OF BAPTISM
Second: What does Baptism do for us?
Baptism works forgiveness of sin, delivers from death and the devil,
and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and
promises of God declare.
What are these words and promises of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark, “Whoever believes
and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be
condemned.”
THE POWER OF BAPTISM
Third: How can water do such great things?
It is certainly not the water that does such things, but God’s Word
which is in and with the water and faith which trusts this Word used
with the water.
For without God’s Word the water is just plain water and not
Baptism. But with this Word it is Baptism, that is, a gracious water of
life and a washing of rebirth by the Holy Spirit.
9
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
Where is this written?
Saint Paul says in Titus, chapter 3, “[God] saved us through the
washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured
out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the
hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.”
THE MEANING OF BAPTISM FOR OUR DAILY LIFE
Fourth: What does baptizing with water mean?
Baptism means that the old Adam in us should be drowned by daily
contrition and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be
put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise to live
before God in righteousness and purity forever.
Where is this written?
Saint Paul says in Romans, chapter 6, “We were . . . buried with
[Christ] through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live
a new life.”
10
The Use of the Keys and Confession
As the head of the family should teach them in the simplest way
to those in his household.
THE KEYS
First: What is the use of the keys?
The use of the keys is that special power and right which Christ
gave to his church on earth: to forgive the sins of penitent sinners
but refuse forgiveness to the impenitent as long as they do not
repent.
Where is this written?
The holy evangelist John writes in chapter 20, “[Jesus] breathed
on [his disciples] and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive
anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they
are not forgiven.’ ”
THE PUBLIC USE OF THE KEYS
Second: How does a Christian congregation use the keys?
A Christian congregation with its called servant of Christ uses the
keys in accordance with Christ’s command by forgiving those who
repent of their sin and are willing to amend, and by excluding from
the congregation those who are plainly impenitent that they may
repent. I believe that when this is done, it is as valid and certain in
heaven also, as if Christ, our dear Lord, dealt with us himself.
Where is this written?
Jesus says in Matthew, chapter 18, “Whatever you bind on earth
will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be
loosed in heaven.”
11
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
CONFESSION
First: What is confession?
Confession has two parts. The one is that we confess our sins; the
other, that we receive absolution or forgiveness from the pastor as
from God himself, not doubting but firmly believing that our sins are
thus forgiven before God in heaven.
Second: What sins should we confess?
Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not
aware of, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer.
But before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we
know and feel in our hearts.
Third: How can we recognize these sins?
Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments.
Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, employer, or employee?
Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you hurt anyone by word or deed? Have you been dishonest, careless, wasteful, or done other wrong?
Fourth: How will the pastor assure a penitent sinner of forgiveness?
He will say, “By the authority of Christ, I forgive you your sins in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
12
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
As the head of the family should teach it in the simplest way
to those in his household.
THE INSTITUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
First: What is the Sacrament of Holy Communion?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the
bread and wine, instituted by Christ for us Christians to eat and
to drink.
Where is this written?
The holy evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and the apostle Paul
tell us: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took
bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his
disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for
you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this,
whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
THE BLESSINGS OF HOLY COMMUNION
Second: What blessing do we receive through this eating and
drinking?
That is shown us by these words: “Given” and “poured out for you
for the forgiveness of sins.”
Through these words we receive forgiveness of sins, life, and
salvation in this sacrament.
For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and
salvation.
13
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
THE POWER OF HOLY COMMUNION
Third: How can eating and drinking do such great things?
It is certainly not the eating and drinking that does such things, but
the words “Given” and “poured out for you for the forgiveness of
sins.”
These words are the main thing in this sacrament, along with the
eating and drinking.
And whoever believes these words has what they plainly say, the
forgiveness of sins.
THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
Fourth: Who, then, is properly prepared to receive this sacrament?
Fasting and other outward preparations may serve a good
purpose, but he is properly prepared who believes these words:
“Given” and “poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
But whoever does not believe these words or doubts them is not
prepared, because the words “for you” require nothing but hearts
that believe.
14
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven
and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally
begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God
from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he
came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the
virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third
day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended
into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will
come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father
and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through
the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic
Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to
come. Amen.
15
Daily Prayers
How the head of the family should teach those in his household
to pray morning and evening, to ask a blessing,
and to say grace at meals.
MORNING PRAYER
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear
Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger.
Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and
life may please you. Into your hands I commend my body and soul
and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe
may have no power over me. Amen.
EVENING PRAYER
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear
Son, that you have graciously kept me this day. Forgive me all my
sins, and graciously keep me this night. Into your hands I commend
my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that
the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.
TO ASK A BLESSING
The eyes of all look to you, O Lord, and you give them their food at
the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every
living thing. Amen.
Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us through these gifts which we
receive from your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
TO SAY GRACE
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Amen.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank you for all your gifts, through
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
16
Table of Duties
PASTORS
A pastor must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not
given to much wine, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a
lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that
his children obey him with proper respect. He must not be a recent
convert. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has
been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine
and refute those who oppose it. (See 1 Timothy 3:2,3,4,6; Titus 1:9.)
WHAT WE OWE TO OUR PASTORS AND TEACHERS
Anyone who receives instruction in the Word must share all good
things with his instructor. (See Galatians 6:6.)
In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach
the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. (See
1 Corinthians 9:14.)
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of
double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “The worker deserves his wages.” (See
1 Timothy 5:17,18.)
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch
over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their
work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage
to you. (See Hebrews 13:17.)
GOVERNMENT
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for
there is no authority except that which God has established. The
authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently,
he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God
has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do
wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is
God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the
wrongdoer. (See Romans 13:1,2,4.)
17
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
HUSBANDS
Husbands, be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat
them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the
gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. (See
1 Peter 3:7; Colossians 3:19.)
WIVES
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, like Sarah, who
obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters
if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. (See Ephesians
5:22; 1 Peter 3:6.)
PARENTS
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in
the training and instruction of the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your
children, or they will become discouraged. (See Ephesians 6:4;
Colossians 3:21.)
CHILDREN
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your
father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a
promise—“that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long
life on the earth.” (See Ephesians 6:1-3.)
EMPLOYEES
Obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to
win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ,
doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if
you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the
Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does. (See
Ephesians 6:5-8.)
EMPLOYERS
Treat your employees in the same way. Do not threaten them, since
you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven,
and there is no favoritism with him. (See Ephesians 6:9.)
18
TABLE OF DUTIES
YOUNG PEOPLE
Young men, be submissive to those who are older. Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the
proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore,
under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (See
1 Peter 5:5,6.)
WIDOWS
The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in
God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
(See 1 Timothy 5:5,6.)
A WORD FOR ALL
Love your neighbor as yourself. This is the sum of all the commandments. (See Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14.) And continue praying for everyone. (See 1 Timothy 2:1.)
Let each his lesson learn with care,
And all the household well shall fare.
19
MARTIN LUTHER,
THE AUTHOR
OF THE SMALL CATECHISM
The Need for a Reformation
For the first 500 years after the time of Christ, the Christian church
continued to grow and spread in spite of persecutions and attacks by
false teachers. About A.D. 600 two things happened that were very
harmful for the Christian church: one was the Mohammedan conquest, and the other was the rise of the bishop of Rome.
The army of the Mohammedans conquered North Africa,
Palestine, Syria, and Asia Minor. This conquest destroyed Christian
churches in all these places.
In Western Europe the bishop of Rome became the leader of the
Christian church. He was head of the church in Spain, France,
England, Germany, and Italy. He became known as the Pope and
claimed that he was appointed by Christ to rule over everyone,
including kings. The Pope did not use his power to serve Christ.
Instead, he introduced anti-Christian doctrines. One was purgatory.
Another was that salvation is not by faith alone but also by good
works. In addition, he led people to believe that they could receive
God’s grace only through the bishops and priests whom he
appointed. When some people showed that what the Pope was teaching was wrong according to the Bible, he ordered punishment for
everyone who read the Bible without his permission.
As a result of the conquest by the Mohammedans and the rise of the
Pope, the truth of the gospel had almost disappeared. A reformation was
needed to restore the Bible to its proper place and to bring back the truth
about salvation. God used Luther to bring about this reformation.
Luther’s Birth (1483) and Education
In 1483, nine years before Columbus discovered America, Luther
was born in the small town of Eisleben, Germany. His parents were
20
MARTIN LUTHER
poor, but they knew that Martin was a bright boy, so they sent him
to school. When Luther was 14 years old, he had to leave home in
order to continue his education. Together with some of the other
boys who didn’t have much money, Luther had to earn some of his
meals by singing at the homes of wealthy people. In spite of this
he did so well in his studies that his teachers encouraged him to go
on to college.
By this time Luther’s father was earning enough money to pay
some of Martin’s expenses, so Luther went to the University of
Erfurt. Luther studied to become a lawyer and again did very well
as a student. He gained the respect of all who knew him and
enjoyed the company of his fellow students. In 1505 he graduated
with a master of arts degree. But Luther was not really happy.
Luther, the Monk (1505)
When Luther was a child, his parents taught him to pray to the
saints, to respect the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church, and
to do good works. Although Luther did all these things quite
faithfully, his sins still troubled him very much. He knew that
God was angry with man because of sin. So he lived in constant
fear that death would mean that he must face the terrible punishment of God for his sins. To find peace for his soul, he decided
to enter a monastery and become a monk.
In the monastery Luther followed all the rules that were supposed to make his life as a monk more holy. He even tortured
himself by sleeping on a hard floor and by beating his body. In
1507 he became a priest and celebrated his first Mass. But none
of this gave Luther the peace of mind that he was seeking.
Luther at Wittenberg (1508)
Dr. Staupitz, the head of the monastery, decided to send Luther
to Wittenberg to ready himself to teach the Bible at the new university that the Elector (Ruler) of Saxony had just started.
Staupitz hoped that this new assignment would give Luther more
opportunity to study the Bible. He also hoped that teaching
would keep Luther so busy that he would have much less time to
think about his sins.
Already while Luther was in the monastery, Staupitz had told
Luther that in Jesus he could find the peace he was seeking.
21
MARTIN LUTHER
Luther’s study of God’s Word as a professor at Wittenberg gradually led him to know the love of God in Christ. Through the Bible
he finally found the peace he had been seeking so urgently.
Luther soon earned the reputation of being a very good teacher
and preacher. Students came from many places to be in his classes.
People came in such large numbers to hear him preach that he was
given the assignment to preach in the Town Church in Wittenberg.
It was not only the forceful way Luther taught and preached but
also the “new” things he said that made people want to hear him.
“Forgiveness of sins,” he said, “is not something which we earn
for ourselves by our own good deeds. Rather, it is a free gift which
God gives to us as a result of all that Jesus did for us as our Savior.
Salvation, therefore, is completely and only by faith in Jesus.”
Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
This “new” teaching of Luther, which was really a return to the
simple truth of God’s Word, did not cause any great excitement
until 1517. In that year an event took place that marked the beginning of the Reformation.
To raise money for the building of St. Peter’s Church in Rome,
the Pope allowed the sale of indulgences all over Germany. Luther
objected to these worthless pieces of paper that promised people
release from the punishment of their sins in purgatory in exchange
for a payment of money. He wrote ninety-five theses, or statements, in Latin which showed that the sale of these indulgences
was contrary to the Bible. On October 31, 1517, Luther nailed his
theses on the door of the Castle Church. This church door was
often used for the posting of public announcements in Wittenberg.
Luther’s purpose in posting these statements was merely to
challenge someone from the university to debate them with him.
That is why he wrote them in Latin. The Ninety-five Theses, however, were quickly translated, printed, and spread over much of
Germany and other parts of Europe. Wherever they were spread,
they stirred up much excitement.
Finally, the Pope ordered Luther to appear in Rome to answer
charges of false teaching. Luther’s ruler, the Elector (Ruler) of
Saxony, used his influence to insist that Luther’s case be settled in
Germany instead.
22
MARTIN LUTHER
Luther at the Diet of Worms and the Wartburg (1521)
In 1518 Luther appeared before Cardinal Cajetan, whom the
Pope had sent as his representative. Cajetan would not discuss the
Ninety-five Theses with Luther. Instead, he demanded that Luther
admit his writings were wrong. Luther said he could not do this
unless Cardinal Cajetan could show him from the Bible that he
was wrong. A year later, in a debate with a German church scholar
named Dr. Eck, Luther said that it was not necessary to obey the
Pope in order to be saved.
As a result of these statements, the Pope sent out an official
notice called a papal bull (from bulla, meaning seal) which said that
Luther would no longer be a member of the Roman Catholic Church
and that all his writings should be burned if he did not retract.
In 1521 Emperor Charles summoned Luther to come to a meeting of the German princes called the Diet of Worms. The emperor
hoped that at this assembly he could end the religious differences
between the German princes, so that they would help him stop the
invasion of the Turks. He told Luther that he did not want to hear
a debate on Bible teaching but only an admission from Luther that
his teachings were wrong.
After prayerfully thinking over his answer for a day, Luther
said, “Unless you can prove from the Bible that I have made
wrong statements, I cannot and I will not take back anything. My
conscience is bound by the Word of God. Here I stand. I cannot do
otherwise. God help me. Amen.”
Because of Luther’s refusal, the emperor declared him an “outlaw” whom anyone could kill after 20 days. Elector Frederick,
however, saved Luther by having him kidnapped and taken to a
secluded castle called the Wartburg. Luther stayed in hiding at the
Wartburg for about a year. During this time he translated the New
Testament into German, so that all his countrymen could read the
Word of God for themselves.
Luther’s Return to Wittenberg and Death (1546)
Luther was able to return to Wittenberg in 1522 because God
was keeping Emperor Charles busy with serious problems in the
other parts of his empire. It was not until after Luther’s death
more than 20 years later in 1546 that the emperor again was able
23
MARTIN LUTHER
to turn his attention to dealing with the Lutherans in Germany.
By that time God had enabled Luther and his helpers to establish
the Reformation so firmly that the emperor was not able to
destroy it.
The last 20 years of Luther’s life were very busy. He taught
regularly at the University of Wittenberg and preached in the
Town Church. Together with his helpers, he published a translation of both the Old and New Testaments in German and constantly worked to improve it so that the Bible could be read and
understood by everyone. He wrote hymns so that people could
sing the truths they learned from the Bible. He wrote many letters
to people about the Bible and its teachings. He wrote explanations of Bible books called commentaries and hundreds of essays
on what the Bible says about many different religious topics.
Luther married a former nun, Katherine von Bora, and the
Lord blessed them with six children.
On February 18, 1546, Luther died. His body was placed in a
vault just beneath the pulpit in the Castle Church.
Luther and the Small Catechism
Luther often showed his deep concern for the Christian training of young people. He urged people to provide and support
Christian schools for their children. When Luther found that
many pastors and parents did not know how to instruct children
in the main teachings of the Bible, he wrote the Small Catechism.
Luther’s chief purpose in writing the catechism was to lead
children to know and believe that the only way of salvation is by
faith in Jesus. He wanted the catechism to be simple, yet to
include all the main teachings of the Bible. The six main parts of
the Small Catechism (listed in the order in which we will study
them) are
1. The Ten Commandments
2. The Creed
3. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
4. The Sacrament of Holy Communion
5. The Use of the Keys and Confession
6. The Lord’s Prayer
24
MARTIN LUTHER
Our Use of the Catechism
The Lutheran Church has always considered the catechism the
very least that every Christian should know about Bible teachings.
For over 400 years the catechism has served well as the basic book
for teaching both young and old. Everything written in the catechism is based on the Bible. In the explanation of Luther’s catechism which follows, we will compare the words of Luther’s catechism with the Bible to assure ourselves that the catechism truly
teaches God’s Word. Then we can memorize and use the words of
the catechism as a simple summary of the main truths that God
teaches us in his Word. This summary will also serve as a foundation on which we can continue to build as we seek to strengthen
our faith by Bible study throughout our entire lives.
Though the catechism is simple, we need to study it carefully to
know and understand better the Bible truths that it summarizes.
Once Luther asked his son Hans how much he knew. Hans
answered rather proudly, “The whole catechism, Papa, because I
know that by heart.” “Is that so!” Luther said. “If you really understand that much, you are wiser than I am. I still have to study it
every day.” May we, like the author of the Small Catechism, treasure the Bible truths it teaches us and study them diligently!
25
THE BIBLE
We Need the Bible
1. How do we know there is a God?
1) Hebrews 3:4. For every house is built by someone, but God is
the builder of everything.
2) Psalm 19:1-4. (The psalmist emphasizes how all the heavenly
bodies tell all men that there is a God. Note especially verse 1:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the
work of his hands.”)
3) Psalm 14:1. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
1. We know there is a God from the things he created.
2. What do we know about God from the things he
created?
4) Acts 14:17. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from
heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with
plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
5) Psalm 104. (The psalmist speaks of all the wonderful things
God created. Note especially verse 24: “How many are your
works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is
full of your creatures.”)
6) Romans 1:20. Since the creation of the world God’s invisible
qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been
clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so
that men are without excuse.
2. From the things God created we know that he is kind,
wise, eternal, powerful, and divine.
3. What do we know about God from our
consciences?
7) Romans 2:14,15. When Gentiles, who do not have the law, do
by nature things required by law, they are a law for themselves,
26
KNOWLEDGE
ABOUT GOD
from
NATURE
from
CONSCIENCE
from
BIBLE
punishes
saves
eternal
powerful
wise
divine
27
BIBLE
even though they do not have the law, since they show that the
requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
8) Romans 1:32. They know God’s righteous decree that those
who do such things deserve death.
3. From our consciences we know that God will punish
us for our sins.
4. What can we never know about God from his creation or our consciences?
9) Acts 16:29,30. The jailer . . . rushed in and fell trembling
before Paul and Silas . . . and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to
be saved?”
10) 1 Corinthians 2:9. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind
has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
4. From God’s creation or our consciences we can never
know what God has done to save us.
5. Why, then, do we need the Bible?
11) 2 Corinthians 4:6. God, who said, “Let light shine out
of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the
light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
of Christ.
12) 2 Timothy 3:15. From infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
13) Acts 16:29-32. The jailer . . . asked, “Sirs, what must I
do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus,
and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they
spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in
his house.
5. We need the Bible as a light that reveals to us what
God has done to save us.
28
TWO MAJOR PARTS
The Bible Has Two Major Parts
6. What is the Old Testament?
14) Hebrews 1:1. In the past God spoke to our forefathers through
the prophets.
15) Acts 3:18. God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the
prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.
6. The Old Testament is that part of the Bible which was
written before Christ came and tells about God’s
promise of a Savior.
7. What is the New Testament?
16) Acts 3:18. God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the
prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.
17) Hebrews 9:15. Christ is the mediator of a new covenant . . .
now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins
committed under the first covenant.
18) John 20:31. These are written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may
have life in his name.
7. The New Testament is that part of the Bible which was
written after Christ came and tells how God fulfilled
his promise in Jesus.
8. Whom did God use to give us the Old and New
Testaments?
19) Hebrews 1:1,2. In the past God spoke to our forefathers
through the prophets . . . but in these last days he has spoken
to us by his Son.
20) 2 Peter 3:2. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past
by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and
Savior through your apostles.
8. God used his prophets to give us the Old Testament
and Jesus’ apostles to give us the New Testament.
29
BIBLE
HOLY WRIT
SCRIPTURE
THE SCRIPTURES
THE WORD
THE WORD OF GOD
CHRIST
Prophets
39
27
Apostles
OT
books
books
NT
1400 B.C.
30
A.D. 100
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
The Books of the Bible
The word “Bible” comes from the Greek word biblia, which means
“books.” The Bible contains 66 books, which were written by about 40
men between 1400 B.C. and A.D. 100. Other names that are given to the
Bible are the Scripture(s) and the Word of God.
The Old Testament has 39 books, which were written in the Hebrew
language. The New Testament has 27 books, which were written in the
Greek language. We read the Bible in an English translation. Some of
the more reliable translations are the King James Version (KJV), the
New International Version (NIV), the New King James Version
(NKJV), An American Translation (AAT), and the New American
Standard Bible (NASB).
The books of the Old Testament are
Historical Books
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 and 2 Samuel
1 and 2 Kings
1 and 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
(JEN-eh-sis)
(EK-suh-duss)
(le-VI-tee-kuss)
(NUM-burrs)
(do-turr-ON-oh-mee)
(JOSH-uh-ah)
(JUJ-es)
(ROOTH)
(SAM-you-ell)
(KINGZ)
(KRON-ih-kulz)
(EZZ-ruh)
(knee-uh-MY-uh)
(ESS-tur)
Gen. or Ge
Exod. or Ex
Lev. or Lev
Num. or Nu
Deut. or Dt
Josh. or Jos
Judg. or Jdg
Ruth or Ru
Sam. or Sa
Kings or Ki
Chron. or Ch
Ezra or Ezr
Neh. or Ne
Esther or Est
(JOBE) or (JOHB)
(SAHMS)
(PROV-urbz)
(eh-KLEE-zih-AS-teez)
Job
Ps. or Ps
Prov. or Pr
Eccles. or Ecc
(SOLL-uh-mun)
Song of Sol. or SS
Poetical Books
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs,
or Song of Solomon
31
BIBLE
Prophetical Books
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
(eye-ZAY-uh)
(jerr-uh-MY-uh)
(lamb-en-TAY-shunz)
(ee-ZEEK-ih-ell)
(DAN-yell)
(hoe-ZEE-uh)
(JOE-ull)
(AY-muss)
(oh-bah-DIE-uh)
(JOE-nuh)
(MY-kuh)
(NAY-hum)
(ha-BACK-uk)
(zef-uh-NIGH-uh)
(HAG-eye)
(zeck-uh-RYE-uh)
(MAH-luh-kigh)
Isa. or Isa
Jer. or Jer
Lam. or La
Ezek. or Eze
Dan. or Da
Hos. or Hos
Joel
Amos or Am
Obad. or Ob
Jon. or Jnh
Mic. or Mic
Nah. or Na
Hab. or Hab
Zeph. or Zep
Hag. or Hag
Zech. or Zec
Mal. or Mal
The books of the New Testament are
Historical Books
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
(MATH-you)
(MARK)
(LOOHK)
(JON)
(ACTS)
Matt. or Mt
Mark or Mk
Luke or Lk
John or Jn
Acts or Ac
(ROW-manz)
(core-IN-thee-enz)
(gah-LAY-shunz)
(ee-FEE-shunz)
(fil-LIP-ih-unz)
(cul-LOSH-unz)
(thess-ah-LOAN-ee-unz)
(TIM-uh-thee)
(TIE-tuss)
(fil-LEE-mun)
(HE-bruz)
(JAMZ)
(PEA-tur)
Rom. or Ro
Cor. or Co
Gal. or Gal
Eph. or Eph
Phil. or Php
Col. or Col
Thess. or Th
Tim. or Ti
Titus or Tit
Philem. or Phm
Heb. or Heb
James or Jas
Pet. or Pe
Epistles
Romans
1 and 2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 and 2 Thessalonians
1 and 2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 and 2 Peter
32
GOD’S WORD
1, 2, and 3 John
Jude
(JON)
(JEWD)
John or Jn
Jude
(rev-eh-LAY-shun)
Rev. or Rev
Prophetical Book
Revelation
The Bible Is God’s Word
9. What is the Bible?
21) Mark 7:10,11,13. Moses said . . . But you say . . . Thus you nullify the word of God.
22) 1 Thessalonians 2:13. When you received the word of God,
which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of
men, but as it actually is, the word of God.
23) 1 Peter 1:23. You have been born again, not of perishable
seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring
word of God.
24) Hebrews 4:12. The word of God is living and active. Sharper
than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing
soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and
attitudes of the heart.
9. The Bible is the living and powerful Word of God.
10. How can all the words of the Bible be God’s Word
if human writers wrote them?
25) 2 Peter 1:21. Prophecy never had its origin in the will of man,
but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the
Holy Spirit.
26) 2 Samuel 23:2. The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his
word was on my tongue.
27) John 14:26. The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind
you of everything I have said to you.
28) 1 Corinthians 2:12,13. We have not received the spirit of the
world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand
what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not
in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by
the Spirit.
29) 2 Timothy 3:16. All Scripture is God-breathed.
33
BIBLE
10. All the words of the Bible are God’s Word because
the Holy Spirit taught the human writers not only the
thoughts but even the words they wrote. (verbal
inspiration)
11. Of what are we assured by the fact that the Bible is
God’s Word?
30) Numbers 23:19. God is not a man, that he should lie.
31) John 10:35. [Jesus answered them,] “The Scripture cannot
be broken.”
32) John 17:17. Your word is truth.
11a. The fact that the Bible is God’s Word assures us that
the Bible has no errors but is true in everything it says.
33) Psalm 119:114,116. You are my refuge and my shield; I have
put my hope in your word. Sustain me according to your
promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
34) Numbers 23:19. God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son
of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and
then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
35) 1 Corinthians 2:4,5. My message and my preaching were not
with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of
the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s
wisdom, but on God’s power.
11b. The fact that the Bible is God’s Word assures us that
we can trust all the promises of the Bible because we
know God will keep them.
12. What does God forbid anyone to do with the Bible
since it is his Word?
36) Deuteronomy 4:2. Do not add to what I command you.
37) Revelation 22:18. I warn everyone who hears the words of the
prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God
will add to him the plagues described in this book.
38) Jeremiah 14:14. Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are
prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or
appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to
you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of
their own minds.”
34
VERBAL INSPIRATION
GOD
gave or guided or reminded
MEN WRITING
thoughts and words
GOD’S WORD
no errors
no unkept promises
Don’t Add!
Don’t Subtract!
Don’t Change the Meaning!
35
BIBLE
39) Matthew 15:9. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but
rules taught by men.
40) 2 Peter 2:3. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with
stories they have made up.
12a. God forbids anyone to add his own ideas, visions, or
teachings to the Bible.
41) Deuteronomy 4:2. Do not add to what I command you and do
not subtract from it.
42) Revelation 22:19. If anyone takes words away from this book
of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree
of life.
43) 2 Timothy 4:3. The time will come when men will not put up
with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will
gather around them a great number of teachers to say what
their itching ears want to hear.
12b. God forbids anyone to subtract from the Bible by leaving out what he doesn’t want to believe or teach.
44) John 10:35. The Scripture cannot be broken.
45) Jude 4. They are godless men, who change the grace of our
God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our
only Sovereign and Lord.
46) 2 Peter 3:16. His letters contain some things that are hard to
understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they
do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
47) 2 Peter 1:16. We did not follow cleverly invented stories
when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
12c. God forbids anyone to change the Bible by twisting its
meaning or by saying that it is a collection of cleverly
invented stories.
The Two Main Bible Teachings
13. What are the two main Bible teachings?
48) John 1:17. The law was given through Moses; grace and truth
came through Jesus Christ.
36
TWO MAIN TEACHINGS
49) Romans 1:16. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
13. The two main Bible teachings are the law and the
gospel.
14. What does God teach us by the law?
50) Matthew 19:17-19. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments. . . . Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not
steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and
mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.
51) James 2:8. If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture,
“Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
52) Romans 7:7. I would not have known what sin was except
through the law. For I would not have known what coveting
really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
14. By the law God teaches us what he wants us to do and
not to do.
15. When we examine our lives according to God’s law,
what else does the law teach us?
53) Galatians 3:10. Cursed is everyone who does not continue to
do everything written in the Book of the Law.
54) Romans 3:22,23. There is no difference, for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God.
55) Romans 3:20. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in
his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we
become conscious of sin.
56) Romans 6:23. The wages of sin is death.
57) Matthew 25:41-46. (Jesus says that those who are cursed for
their sins will be punished eternally in hell.)
15. When we examine our lives according to God’s law, it
also teaches us that we are all sinners who deserve
God’s punishment of death and damnation.
16. What does God teach us by the gospel?
58) Colossians 2:13,14. When you were dead in your sins . . . God
made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having
canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against
37
God’s Word
TEACHES
Law
DO!
DON’T
DO!
Gospel
Deserve
JESUS
Eternal
DID
Death
ALL!
Gift
of
Eternal
Life
JESUS IS OUR
ONLY HOPE
OF
SALVATION
38
TWO MAIN TEACHINGS
us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to
the cross.
59) Luke 2:10,11. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I
bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;
he is Christ the Lord.”
60) John 3:16. God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life.
16a. By the gospel God teaches us the good news that in his
love he sent Jesus to take away the sins of all people.
61) John 3:16. God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life.
62) Romans 1:16. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
16b. By the gospel God teaches us that everyone who
believes in Jesus has eternal life and salvation.
17. What, then, is the chief purpose of the Bible?
63) 2 Timothy 3:15. From infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
64) John 20:31. These are written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may
have life in his name.
65) John 5:39. You diligently study the Scriptures because you
think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the
Scriptures that testify about me.
66) Ephesians 2:20. [You are] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
67) Romans 15:4. For everything that was written in the past was
written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
17. The chief purpose of the Bible is to lead all people
to know and believe in Jesus as their only hope of
salvation.
39
The Ten
Commandments
THE LAW
The Giving of the Law
18. How does God give his law to all people?
68) Romans 2:14,15. When Gentiles, who do not have the law, do
by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show
that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts.
18. God gives his law to all people by writing it on their
hearts. (natural law)
19. Why does God also give every person a conscience?
69) Romans 2:14,15. When Gentiles, who do not have the law, do
by nature things required by the law . . . they show that the
requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
19. God gives every person a conscience as a voice in him
which bears witness to God’s law.
20. Why isn’t a person’s conscience completely
dependable?
70) Romans 1:21. Although they knew God . . . their thinking
became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
71) Ephesians 4:18,19. They are darkened in their understanding
and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance
that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having
lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20a. A person’s conscience is not completely dependable
because it may be so hardened by sin that it no longer
bothers him when he sins.
42
SUMMARY OF THE LAW
72) 1 Corinthians 8:7. Some people are still so accustomed to
idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having
been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak,
it is defiled.
73) Romans 14:2. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything,
but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
20b. A person’s conscience is not completely dependable
because it may tell him something is a sin which God
doesn’t say is a sin.
21. Why, then, did God give us his law a second way?
74) Romans 7:7. I would not have known what sin was except
through the law. For I would not have known what coveting
really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
75) Romans 2:18. You know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law.
21. God gave us his law a second way so that we would
know exactly what his will is.
22. What was the second way God gave us his law?
76) Exodus 20. (God gave the law at Mount Sinai.)
77) Deuteronomy 5:22. These are the commandments the LORD
proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the
mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness;
and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone
tablets and gave them to me.
78) John 1:17. The law was given through Moses.
79) Romans 13:8-10. (Paul writes about what God wants us to do
to fulfill his law.)
22. God gave us his law the second way by having it written in the Bible. (written law)
The Summary of the Law
23. What brief summary of the law did God give us in
the Bible?
80) Deuteronomy 5:1-22. (Especially verse 22: These are the commandments the LORD proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole
43
GOD’S LAW
WRITTEN
IN
Bible
always
clear
summarized in
THE
TEN COMMANDMENTS
LOVE GOD
AND
NEIGHBOR
44
LAW OF MOSES
assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud
and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more.)
81) Deuteronomy 10:4. The LORD wrote on these tablets what he
had written before, the Ten Commandments he had proclaimed
to you on the mountain, out of the fire, on the day of the assembly. And the LORD gave them to me.
23. God gave us the Ten Commandments as a summary of
his law.
The Law of Moses
On Mt. Sinai God gave three kinds of laws to Moses for the
people of Israel. He gave the civil law to govern them as a
nation. For example, the civil law established the punishment
for crimes such as injury to another person or damage to
another person’s property (see Exodus 21:22).
God also gave Israel the ceremonial law. These were the
laws that told the people when, where, and how they were to
worship God. The laws about priests, the sacrifices, the sabbath days, the tabernacle—all these were the ceremonial laws.
The ceremonial laws served as types or pictures that pointed
ahead to the promised Savior.
Thirdly, God gave Israel the moral law. God had written the
moral law in man’s heart already at creation because it is
God’s will for all people of all time. God gave the moral law
to the people of Israel in the form of the Ten Commandments.
In these Ten Commandments God told the people of Israel
how his holy will for all people applied in a special way to
them as his chosen people.
In the New Testament God clearly says that the law as he
gave it to Moses on Mt. Sinai is no longer in effect (cf.
Colossians 2:16,17; Galatians 3:23-25; Galatians 5:1). Why,
then, do we use the Ten Commandments? Remember that in
the Old Testament the civil and ceremonial laws were special
laws made by God only for Israel while the Ten Commandments were a special form of God’s moral law, his holy
will for all people. For this reason the basic content of the Ten
45
THE LAW
Commandments is repeated in the New Testament though not
always in the same words or in the same order in which God
gave it on Mt. Sinai (cf. Matthew 19:18; Romans 13:8-10;
Galatians 5:19).
Luther chose to use the form of the Ten Commandments as
given on Mt. Sinai because it is the simplest summary we have
in the Bible of God’s moral law. He felt this form would be the
easiest one to use in teaching God’s moral law to children.
Therefore, we use Moses’ wording of the Ten Commandments, but we need to keep in mind that this wording was the
special form in which God gave his summary of the moral law
to the Old Testament people. This is especially important to
remember in the study of the Third Commandment.
24. What is the simplest summary of God’s law?
82) Matthew 22:37-40. Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the
second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law
and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
83) Romans 13:9,10. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and
whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in
this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no
harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
24. “Love God and your neighbor!” is the simplest summary of God’s law.
Obeying the Law
25. Of what does God remind us when he introduces
his commandments with the words “I am the LORD
your God” (Exodus 20:2)?
84) Psalm 95:6,7. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel
before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the
people of his pasture.
85) Isaiah 43:11. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there
is no savior.
46
OBEYING THE LAW
86) 1 John 4:8,9. God is love. This is how God showed his love
among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we
might live through him.
25. When God introduces his commandments with these
words, he reminds us that it is our loving Maker and
Savior who gave us these commandments.
26. Why does God remind us that our loving Maker
and Savior gave us these commandments?
87) 1 John 4:19. We love because he first loved us.
88) Ephesians 5:1,2. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly
loved children and live a life of love.
89) 1 John 5:3. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And
his commands are not burdensome.
90) Psalm 119:47. I delight in your commands because I love
them.
26. God reminds us of this to make us willing and glad to
obey his commandments.
27. Why is it wrong to think that obeying God’s commandments makes slaves out of us and takes all the
fun out of life?
91) Psalm 19:7,8,11. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart. By them is your servant warned; in
keeping them there is great reward.
92) Psalm 119:14,35,45. I rejoice in following your statutes as one
rejoices in great riches. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. I will walk about in freedom, for
I have sought out your precepts.
93) Matthew 5:3-10. (In the Beatitudes Jesus shows how obedience to God’s will is the way of true happiness.)
94) Genesis 3:1-6. (The devil deceived Eve into thinking that disobedience to God’s command would bring happiness.)
95) John 8:34. Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who
sins is a slave to sin.”
27. It is wrong to think that God’s commandments make
slaves of us because they really show us the way of
wisdom, freedom, and happiness in our lives.
47
Obeying God’s Law
Because God is our loving
Maker and Savior
GIVE WILLING AND GLAD OBEDIENCE!
Because God seeks
our good
OBEDIENCE IS THE WAY TO TRUE FREEDOM
AND HAPPINESS!
Because God
is holy
OBEY PERFECTLY!
48
PURPOSE OF THE LAW
28. How does God want us to obey his commandments?
96) Matthew 5:48. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father
is perfect.
97) 1 Peter 1:15,16. Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy
in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
28. God wants us to obey his commandments perfectly.
29. When do we fail to obey God’s commandments
perfectly?
98) James 4:17. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do
and doesn’t do it, sins.
29a. We fail to obey perfectly when we don’t do something
that God wants us to do. (sin of omission)
99) Leviticus 5:17. If a person sins and does what is forbidden in
any of the LORD’s commands, even though he does not know
it, he is guilty and will be held responsible.
100) 1 John 3:4. Everyone who sins breaks the law.
29b. We fail to obey perfectly when we do something that
God forbids. (sin of commission)
30. Who only has obeyed God’s commandments
perfectly?
101) Romans 3:12. All have turned away, they have together become
worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.
102) Hebrews 4:14,15. We have a great high priest who has gone
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. . . . we have one
who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was
without sin.
30. Jesus alone has obeyed God’s commandments
perfectly.
The Purpose of the Law
31. What purpose does God’s law serve in the outward
life of all people?
103) 1 Timothy 1:9,10. We also know that law is made not for the
righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sin49
THE LAW
ful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers
or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave
traders and liars and perjurers.
104) Romans 2:14. When Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by
nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves.
105) Psalm 119:120. My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in
awe of your laws.
106) Deuteronomy 4:24. The LORD your God is a consuming fire.
31. God’s law helps to preserve order in the world by
keeping the wicked actions of all people within
bounds. (the law as a curb)
32. What purpose does God’s law serve in the hearts of
all people?
107) Romans 3:19,20. Now we know that whatever the law says, it
says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may
be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. . . .
through the law we become conscious of sin.
108) Romans 7:7. I would not have known what sin was except
through the law. For I would not have known what coveting
really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
109) Luke 18:13. But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would
not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.”
32. God’s law shows all people their sin and their need of
a Savior. (the law as a mirror)
33. What purpose does God’s law also serve for
Christians living in a sinful world?
110) 2 Corinthians 5:15. [Jesus] died for all, that those who live
should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for
them and was raised again.
111) Romans 12:1,2. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of
God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and
pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able
to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and
perfect will.
50
The Purpose
of the
LAW
Curb
Guide
(all)
(Christians)
Mirror
(all)
51
THE LAW
112) Psalm 119:9. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
113) Psalm 119:105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for
my path.
33. God’s law tells Christians, surrounded by a sinful
world, the way of life that is pleasing to God. (the law
as a guide)
52
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
(God’s Glory)
You shall have no other gods.
What does this mean?
We should fear, love, and trust in God above
all things.
34. What does God teach us about his glory in the First
Commandment?
114) Isaiah 42:8. I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my
glory to another or my praise to idols.
115) Isaiah 45:21. There is no God apart from me, a righteous God
and a Savior; there is none but me.
116) Matthew 4:10. Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.
34. God teaches us that he wants us to give glory to him
above anyone or anything else.
35. How do we give glory to God above all things?
117) Daniel 3:1-18. (The three men went into the fiery furnace
rather than worship the image Nebuchadnezzar set up.)
118) Genesis 39:1-9. (Joseph obeyed God rather than Potiphar’s
wife. Note especially verse 9, “How then could I do such a
wicked thing and sin against God?”)
119) Proverbs 8:13. To fear the LORD is to hate evil.
120) Psalm 119:11. I have hidden your word in my heart that I
might not sin against you.
121) Psalm 86:11. Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk
in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear
your name.
35a. We give glory to God above all things by placing his
word and command above the word and command of
anyone else. (fear God above all things)
53
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
122) Hebrews 11:24-26. (God was more important to Moses than
the fame or riches of Egypt.)
123) Genesis 22:1-19. (God was dearer to Abraham than his only
son, Isaac.)
124) Matthew 22:37. Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind.
125) Psalm 73:25. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has
nothing I desire besides you.
35b. We give glory to God above all things by considering
him more dear to us than anyone or anything else.
(love God above all things)
126) Genesis 13,14. (When Abraham gave Lot the first choice of the
land and rescued him, Abraham showed his trust in God.)
127) Daniel 6:1-23. (Daniel trusted God to protect him in the lions’
den. Note especially verse 23, “No wound was found on him,
because he had trusted in his God.”)
128) Daniel 3:1-18. (The three men trusted God to protect them in
the fiery furnace. Note especially verse 17, “The God we serve
is able to save us from it.”)
129) 1 Samuel 17:32-50. (David trusted the Lord to give him the
victory over Goliath. Note especially verses 37 and 45.)
130) Psalm 37:5,40. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him. . . .
The LORD helps them and delivers them . . . because they take
refuge in him.
131) Isaiah 50:10. Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light,
trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
132) Psalm 124:8. Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker
of heaven and earth.
35c. We give glory to God above all things by relying on
him for help more than on anyone or anything else.
(trust God above all things)
36. According to the First Commandment, how do
people sin openly against God’s will?
133) Exodus 32. (Israel worshiped the golden calf. Note especially
verse 31, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed!
They have made themselves gods of gold.”)
54
FIRST COMMANDMENT
134) 1 Kings 18:17-39. (Ahab led Israel into Baal worship. Note
especially verse 18, “You have abandoned the LORD’s commands and have followed the Baals.”)
135) Exodus 20:4,5. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the
form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or
in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.
136) Romans 1:23. [They] exchanged the glory of the immortal God
for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals
and reptiles.
137) 1 John 5:21. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
36a. People sin openly against God’s will when they give
glory to idols as their god. (open idolatry)
138) John 8:42. Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you
would love me, for I came from God and now am here.”
139) John 5:22,23. The Father . . . has entrusted all judgment to the
Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.
He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who
sent him.
140) 1 John 2:23. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
36b. People sin openly against God’s will when they try to
give glory to the Father without also giving equal
glory to Jesus. (open idolatry)
37. According to the First Commandment, how do
people sin secretly against God’s will?
141) Luke 12:15-21. (The rich fool was more concerned about storing up things for himself than about God.)
142) Matthew 19:16-22. (The rich young man loved his possessions
more than following Jesus.)
143) 1 John 2:15. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
144) Psalm 62:10. Though your riches increase, do not set your
heart on them.
145) Matthew 10:37. Anyone who loves his father or mother more
than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or
daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
55
God’s
GLORY
Don’t
Do!
Do!
— FEAR
— LOVE
— TRUST
56
GOD
ABOVE
ALL
THINGS
— OPEN
IDOLATRY
— SECRET
IDOLATRY
FIRST COMMANDMENT
146) Proverbs 3:5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean
not on your own understanding.
147) Jeremiah 17:5. Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who
depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away
from the LORD.
37. People sin secretly against God’s will when someone
or something takes first place in their hearts instead of
God. (secret idolatry)
38. How does the First Commandment serve as a mirror for us?
148) Exodus 14:5-12; 16:1-8. (The people of Israel did not always
trust God to protect them and to provide for them.)
149) Matthew 26:69-75. (Peter did not always fear God above men.)
150) 1 John 1:8. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us.
38. The First Commandment shows us our sins because
we have not always given God first place in our lives.
39. How did Jesus save us from our sins against the
First Commandment?
151) Matthew 4:1-10. (When he was tempted, Jesus always put God
first.)
152) Matthew 17:5. This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am
well pleased.
153) Romans 5:19. Just as through the disobedience of the one man
the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of
the one man the many will be made righteous.
39a. Jesus saved us by obeying the First Commandment
perfectly for us.
154) 1 Peter 3:18. Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for
the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
39b. Jesus saved us by dying to take away all our sins.
40. How does the First Commandment serve as a
guideline for us?
57
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
155) Colossians 3:17. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him.
156) 1 Samuel 12:24. Be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has
done for you.
40. The First Commandment shows us that God wants us
to thank him for his goodness by fearing, loving, and
trusting in him above all things.
58
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT
(God’s Name)
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord
your God.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not
use his name to curse, swear, lie, or deceive,
or use witchcraft, but call upon God’s name
in every trouble, pray, praise, and give
thanks.
41. What is God’s name?
157)
158)
159)
160)
Genesis 17:1. I am God Almighty.
Isaiah 42:8. I am the LORD; that is my name!
Matthew 1:21. You are to give him the name Jesus.
2 Corinthians 13:14. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be
with you all.
41a. God’s name is every expression that God uses to refer
to himself. (God, God the Almighty, Lord, Jesus
Christ, Holy Spirit, etc.)
161) Exodus 34:5-7. (Note all the things God wants Moses to
remember about him when he hears God’s name.)
162) John 17:6-8. I have revealed you [Greek: your name] to those
whom you gave me out of the world. . . . Now they know that
everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave
them the words you gave me and they accepted them.
41b. God’s name is everything God has revealed to us about
himself in his Word.
59
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
42. For what purpose did God reveal his name to us?
163) Psalm 54:6. I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.
164) Exodus 20:24. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will
come to you and bless you.
165) Romans 10:13. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.
166) Proverbs 18:10. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the
righteous run to it and are safe.
167) Exodus 20:7. The LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who
misuses his name.
42. God revealed his name to us so that by its use he might
bless and save us.
43. Why is cursing, therefore, a sinful misuse of God’s
name?
168) 2 Samuel 16:5-14. (Shimei cursed David when David fled
from Absalom. In verse 11 note how the purpose of Shimei’s
cursing is compared to Absalom’s purpose.)
169) Numbers 22:6-12. (Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel so
that he could defeat God’s people.)
170) James 3:10. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers, this should not be.
171) Romans 12:14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do
not curse.
43. Cursing is a sin because it is using God’s name to wish
evil on someone or something.
44. What is swearing by God’s name?
172) Matthew 26:63,64. The high priest said to him, “I charge you
under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the
Son of God.” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
173) Hebrews 6:16. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to
all argument.
44. Swearing is using God’s name to assure someone that
we are telling the truth.
60
SECOND COMMANDMENT
45. When is swearing a sinful misuse of God’s name?
174) 1 Kings 21:8-14. (Jezebel murdered Naboth by the lies of two
who testified against him.)
175) Matthew 26:69-75. (Note verse 74, where Peter swore to back
up his denials of Jesus.)
176) Leviticus 19:12. Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God.
45a. Swearing is a sin when we use God’s name to tell a lie.
(false swearing)
177) Matthew 5:33-37. (Rather than swearing by all kinds of things,
Jesus says, “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’
‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”)
178) James 5:12. Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by
heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes,
and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.
45b. Swearing is a sin when it is unnecessary. (needless
swearing)
179) Mark 6:21-28. (Herod swore to do something even though he
did not know what it would be.)
45c. Swearing is a sin when we don’t know what we are
promising to do. (swearing in uncertain things)
46. How do people use God’s name to lie? (See
Question 12.)
180) Jeremiah 14:14. The prophets are prophesying lies in my name.
I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them.
They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.
181) Jeremiah 23:31. I am against the prophets who wag their own
tongues and yet declare, “The LORD declares.”
182) Matthew 15:9. They worship me in vain; their teachings are
but rules taught by men.
46. People use God’s name to lie when they use it to cover
up their own false teachings (see Question 12). (false
prophets or false teachers)
61
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
47. How do people use God’s name to deceive?
183) Acts 5:1-11. (Ananias and Sapphira pretended to be giving a
gift in love for God’s name.)
184) Matthew 23:25-28. (Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of the
teachers of the law and the Pharisees.)
185) Matthew 15:7,8. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he
prophesied about you: “These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.”
47. People use God’s name to deceive when they use it to
cover up their unbelieving hearts. (hypocrites)
48. How do people misuse God’s name in using witchcraft?
186) Acts 13:6-12. (Paul showed that Elymas, the sorcerer, was
serving the devil.)
187) Deuteronomy 18:10-12. Let no one be found among you . . .
who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages
in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or
who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is
detestable to the LORD.
188) Matthew 7:22,23. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord,
did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out
demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them
plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
48a. People misuse God’s name in using witchcraft
because they depend on the power of the devil.
189) 1 Samuel 28:7-25. (King Saul sought the help of the witch of
Endor.)
190) Leviticus 19:31. Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists,
for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
48b. People misuse God’s name in using witchcraft
because they seek the help of those who do things by
the power of the devil.
49. How does God want us to use his name?
191) Psalm 50:15. Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver
you, and you will honor me.
62
TELLS US ABOUT
HIMSELF IN HIS
WORD
TITLES
God’s
NAME
Do!
— Call on it in trouble
— Pray regularly
— Praise him to others
— Give him thanks
Don’t
Do!
— Curse
— Swear
— Lie by it
— Deceive by it
— Use witchcraft
63
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
192) Matthew 8:23-27. (The disciples called on Jesus in time of
trouble.)
49a. God wants us to call on his name in times of trouble.
193) 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Pray continually.
194) Daniel 6:10,11. (Daniel prayed regularly.)
195) John 16:23. My Father will give you whatever you ask in
my name.
49b. God wants us to pray in his name regularly.
196) Psalm 145:2,10-12. Every day I will praise you and extol your
name for ever and ever. All you have made will praise you, O
LORD; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of
your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may
know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your
kingdom.
197) 1 Peter 2:9. You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the
praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
198) Acts 4:20. We cannot help speaking about what we have seen
and heard.
49c. God wants us to use his name in telling others about
his blessings. (praise)
199) Luke 17:11-19. (The one leper returned to thank Jesus for healing him.)
200) Psalm 118:1. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love
endures forever.
201) Ephesians 5:19,20. Sing and make music in your heart to the
Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
49d. God wants us to use his name in giving thanks to him.
50. How does the Second Commandment serve as a
mirror for us?
202) Matthew 26:74,75. (Peter realized he sinned by his cursing and
swearing and his denials.)
64
SECOND COMMANDMENT
203) James 3:9. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and
with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
204) James 5:12. Do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by
anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you
will be condemned.
205) Luke 17:11-19. (Jesus was disappointed with the nine lepers
who did not return to thank him.)
206) Matthew 10:32,33. Whoever acknowledges me before men, I
will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But
whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my
Father in heaven.
50. The Second Commandment shows us our sins because
we have not always used God’s name as he wants us to
use it.
51. How did Jesus save us from our sins against the
Second Commandment?
207) John 17:6-8,25,26. (Jesus made God’s name known to all who
would listen.)
208) Luke 6:12. Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent
the night praying to God.
209) John 6:11. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated.
210) 1 John 3:5. [Jesus] appeared so that he might take away our
sins. And in him is no sin.
51a. Jesus saved us by obeying the Second Commandment
perfectly for us.
211) 1 John 1:7. The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
51b. Jesus saved us by dying to purify us from every sin.
52. How does the Second Commandment serve as a
guideline for us?
212) 1 Peter 2:9. You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare
the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.
213) Philippians 4:6. In everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
65
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
214) Psalm 39:1. I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue
from sin.”
215) Psalm 145:1,2. I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise
your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and
extol your name for ever and ever.
52. The Second Commandment shows us that God wants
us to thank him for his goodness by using his name in
ways which are pleasing to him.
66
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT
(God’s Word)
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it
holy.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not
despise preaching and his Word, but regard it
as holy and gladly hear and learn it.
53. According to the Third Commandment, what was
God’s special will for his Old Testament people?
216) Exodus 35:2. For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh
day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD.
217) Leviticus 23:3. There are six days when you may work, but the
seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly.
53. According to the Third Commandment, God wanted
his Old Testament people to observe Saturday as a holy
day of rest and worship. (“Sabbath” means “rest.”)
54. Why is this special will of God no longer in effect
for us today?
218) Colossians 2:13,14,16,17. God made you alive with Christ.
He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code,
with its regulations. . . . Therefore do not let anyone judge
you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a
shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however,
is found in Christ.
219) Matthew 11:28,29. Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls.
67
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
54. This special will of God is no longer in effect since
Christ fulfilled the Old Testament Sabbath by giving
us the true rest, the forgiveness of sins.
55. According to the Third Commandment, what is the
will of God that is still in effect for all people?
220) Acts 13:42-48. (Note especially verse 48. The Gentiles at
Antioch accepted and honored God’s Word.)
221) Acts 17:10-12. (The Bereans received God’s Word with
eagerness.)
222) Luke 8:4-15. (Note especially verse 15. By a parable Jesus
teaches how God wants us to receive his Word in our hearts.)
223) Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you.
224) John 5:24. Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent
me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed
over from death to life.
225) Hebrews 4:2,9-11. We also have had the gospel preached to us,
just as they did. . . . There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the
people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests
from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore,
make every effort to enter that rest.
55. God wants all people to receive his Word eagerly
because it tells about Jesus, who gives us God’s true rest.
56. When are we guilty of despising God’s Word?
226) Acts 13:42-50. (Note especially verses 45 and 50. The Jews at
Antioch mocked and refused to hear the Word.)
227) Luke 10:16. He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects
you rejects me.
228) Hebrews 10:25. Let us not give up meeting together, as some
are in the habit of doing.
229) John 8:47. He who belongs to God hears what God says. The
reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.
56a. We are guilty of despising God’s Word if we refuse to
hear it.
230) Luke 14:16-24. (By the parable of the great banquet, Jesus
warns against letting the things of the world keep us from
accepting his invitation.)
68
THIRD COMMANDMENT
231) Luke 8:14. (The cares and pleasures of the world like thorns
can choke God’s Word out of our lives.)
232) 1 John 2:15. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
56b. We are guilty of despising God’s Word if we let anything in the world crowd it out of our lives.
233) Ecclesiastes 5:1. Guard your steps when you go to the house of
God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools,
who do not know that they do wrong.
234) Hebrews 4:2. The message they heard was of no value to them,
because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
235) James 1:22-24. Do not merely listen to the word, and so
deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the
word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at
his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away
and immediately forgets what he looks like.
236) 1 Samuel 15:1-23. (God rejected Saul as king because he did
not do what God told him.)
56c. We are guilty of despising God’s Word if we listen to
it but don’t believe it or don’t do what it says.
57. How does God want us to regard his Word?
237) Romans 1:2. He promised . . . through his prophets in the Holy
Scriptures.
238) Proverbs 30:5. Every word of God is flawless.
239) John 17:17. Your word is truth.
57. God wants us to regard his Word as holy and true.
58. How does God want us to use his Word?
240) 1 Samuel 3:1-18. (Eli taught Samuel to say, “Speak, LORD, for
your servant is listening.”)
241) Luke 10:38-42. (Jesus said Mary chose the one and only thing
that was needed when she sat and listened to his Word.)
242) Acts 2:42,46. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to
prayer. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
69
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
243) Acts 17:11. The Bereans . . . received the message with great
eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what
Paul said was true.
244) Psalm 119:72. The law from your mouth is more precious to
me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
245) John 6:45. Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from
him comes to me.
246) Psalm 122:1. I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go
to the house of the LORD.”
58a. God wants us to hear and learn his Word gladly every
day.
247) John 20:31. These are written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may
have life in his name.
248) John 2:22. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples
recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and
the words that Jesus had spoken.
249) Acts 4:4. Many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
250) Luke 11:28. Blessed . . . are those who hear the word of God
and obey it.
251) Psalm 119:133. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let
no sin rule over me.
58b. God wants us to believe and obey his Word.
252) Mark 16:15. Go into all the world and preach the good news to
all creation.
253) Acts 8:4. Those who had been scattered preached the word
wherever they went.
58c. God wants us to share his Word with all people.
59. Why do we observe special days, such as Sundays
and festivals?
254) Galatians 4:9-11. (Paul warned the Galatians not to fall into a
slavish observing of days.)
255) Psalm 26:8. I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place
where your glory dwells.
70
THIRD COMMANDMENT
256) Psalm 84:10. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand
elsewhere.
257) Psalm 122:1. I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go
to the house of the LORD.”
59a. We observe these special days not because we have to
but because we want to.
258) 1 Peter 5:2. Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your
care, serving as overseers.
259) Acts 20:28. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of
which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of
the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
260) John 21:17. Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
261) 2 Timothy 4:2. Preach the Word; . . . correct, rebuke and
encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
262) 1 Peter 1:25; 2:2. This is the word that was preached to you.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it
you may grow up in your salvation.
263) Ephesians 4:11-13. It was he [Jesus] who gave . . . some to be
pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all
reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God
and become mature.
59b. We observe these special days to be fed with the Word
by our God-given shepherd (pastor).
264) Psalm 145:3-5. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and
I will meditate on your wonderful works.
265) Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as
you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as
you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in
your hearts to God.
266) Hebrews 10:25. Let us not give up meeting together, as some
are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—
and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
71
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
59c. We observe these special days to praise God for his
wonderful works and to encourage one another in our
faith and lives.
SUNDAY AND THE CHURCH YEAR
It became a practice in the early Christian church to
observe Sunday as the day for public worship (cf. John
20:19,26; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10).
Sunday was chosen because it marked several great events:
The beginning of creation, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead
(Easter), and the sending of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost). We
have continued this practice because it helps us do everything
“in a fitting and orderly way” as God’s Word urges us to do
in 1 Corinthians 14:40. Since we know when the public worship service will be each week, we can plan our week so that
we can attend worship regularly.
The Sundays of each “church year” are arranged in two
groups. Each group makes up about one-half of the year. The
first group of Sundays is called the “Festival Half.” The
themes for all the Sundays in this half of the church year are
arranged according to the events of Christ’s life. Those parts
of our order of service which change (the propers: introit,
gradual, prayers, Scripture readings, hymns, and sermon)
focus each Sunday on the part of Christ’s life which is being
highlighted at that time in the church year. The following
chart gives a brief outline of the main festivals:
The Festival Half of the Church Year
General theme: The Life of Christ
1. Advent
2. Christmas
3. Epiphany
72
Time: December to May
(Coming)
four Sundays
(Birth)
December 25
(Appearing)
January 6 and four to
nine Sundays (The last
THIRD COMMANDMENT
4. Lent
5. Easter
6. Ascension
7. Pentecost
three Sundays are
sometimes considered
a transition to Lent.)
(Suffering and
six Sundays including
Death)
Palm Sunday, Maundy
Thursday (Institution
of the Lord’s Supper),
and Good Friday
(Death and Burial)
(Resurrection)
six Sundays
(Return to Heaven) forty days after Easter
(Sending of the
fifty days after Easter
Holy Spirit)
The Non-Festival Half of the Church Year
The non-festival half of the church year extends from June
to November. It may include 22 to 27 Sundays. It begins with
Trinity Sunday, and the Sundays that follow are called the
Trinity season. Some prefer to call these Sundays the Sundays
after Pentecost. There is no special theme that runs through all
these Sundays. Rather, the theme for each Sunday and for the
parts of the service which change will usually correspond to
the sermon text the pastor has chosen for that Sunday.
There are several special days that we observe during the
non-festival half of the church year. They are Reformation
Day (October 31) and Thanksgiving Day (the fourth
Thursday of November in the United States, the second
Monday of October in Canada). Many of our congregations
also celebrate a special Mission Sunday either during this
non-festival half of the church year, or during the festival
half, or both.
73
OT SABBATH
pictured
REST IN CHRIST
told us in
God’s
WORD
Don’t
Do!
Do!
— Hear
— Learn
— Believe
— Obey
74
every
day
— Refuse to hear
— Let world crowd
it from our lives
— Refuse to believe
— Refuse to obey
THIRD COMMANDMENT
60. How does the Third Commandment serve as a mirror for us?
267) Luke 10:38-42. (Martha was distracted from Jesus’ word by
other concerns.)
268) Hebrews 2:1. We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to
what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
269) James 1:22. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive
yourselves. Do what it says.
270) Hebrews 4:12,13. The word of God is living and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to
dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is
hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid
bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
60. The Third Commandment shows us our sins because
we have not always received God’s Word in the way he
wants us to receive it.
61. How did Jesus save us from our sins against the
Third Commandment?
271) Luke 2:41-47. (As a 12-year-old boy, Jesus gladly heard and
learned God’s Word.)
272) Luke 4:16. On the Sabbath day he [Jesus] went into the synagogue, as was his custom.
273) John 8:46,47. Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am
telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? He who belongs to
God hears what God says.
61a. Jesus saved us by keeping the Third Commandment
perfectly for us.
274) Isaiah 53:6. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has
turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
61b. Jesus saved us by dying for all our sins.
62. How does the Third Commandment serve as a
guideline for us?
275) Psalm 119:16. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect
your word.
75
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
276) Psalm 119:103. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter
than honey to my mouth!
277) Psalm 119:161,162. My heart trembles at your word. I rejoice
in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
278) Psalm 107:21. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
62. The Third Commandment shows us that God wants us
to thank him for his goodness by regarding his Word
as holy and gladly hearing and learning it.
76
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT
(God’s Representatives)
Honor your father and mother, that it may go
well with you and that you may enjoy long life
on the earth.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not
dishonor or anger our parents and others in
authority, but honor, serve, and obey them,
and give them love and respect.
63. Who are the people whom God wants us to honor?
279) Ephesians 6:1,2. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for
this is right. “Honor your father and mother.”
280) Hebrews 13:7,17. Remember your leaders, who spoke the
word of God to you. . . . Obey your leaders and submit to their
authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an
account.
281) 1 Peter 2:13,14. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every
authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the
supreme authority, or to governors.
63. God wants us to honor those in authority, especially
those in our homes, our churches, and our government.
64. Why do these people have authority over us?
282) Colossians 3:20. Children, obey your parents in everything, for
this pleases the Lord.
283) Ephesians 6:1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this
is right.
284) Acts 20:28. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of
which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
77
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
285) 2 Corinthians 5:19,20. [God] has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
286) Romans 13:1. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which
God has established. The authorities that exist have been
established by God.
287) Romans 13:4. For he is God’s servant to do you good. . . . He
is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on
the wrongdoer.
64. They have this authority because God placed them
over us as his representatives.
65. What blessing does God give us through his representatives in our churches?
288) Hebrews 13:7. Remember your leaders, who spoke the word
of God to you.
289) 1 Timothy 4:16. Watch your life and doctrine closely.
Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both
yourself and your hearers.
65. Through his representatives in our churches, God
gives us the blessing of instruction in his saving
Word. (care of our souls)
66. What blessing does God give us through his representatives in our government?
290) Hosea 4:1-3. (Israel suffered greatly because the governing
authorities kept no law and order.)
291) Romans 13:3. Rulers hold no terror for those who do right,
but for those who do wrong.
292) Romans 13:6. The authorities are God’s servants, who give
their full time to governing.
66. Through his representatives in our government, God
gives us the blessing of law and order. (care of our
bodies)
78
FOURTH COMMANDMENT
67. Why does God call special attention in this commandment to our parents as his representatives?
293) 1 Timothy 5:8. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and
especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and
is worse than an unbeliever.
294) Ephesians 6:4. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead,
bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
295) Proverbs 1:3,5,8,9. For acquiring a disciplined and prudent
life, doing what is right and just and fair; . . . let the wise listen. . . . Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not
forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace
your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
296) Psalm 103:13. As a father has compassion on his children, so
the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
297) 1 Thessalonians 2:7. We were gentle among you, like a mother
caring for her little children.
67. God calls special attention to our parents because
through them he gives us many blessings: our daily
needs such as food, clothing, and shelter; instruction
in his Word; guidance for life; and loving concern.
(care of body and soul)
68. How does God emphasize that he wants to bless us
through his representatives?
298) Ephesians 6:2,3. “Honor your father and mother”—which is
the first commandment with a promise—“that it may go well
with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
68. God emphasizes that he wants to bless us through his
representatives by adding a promise to the Fourth
Commandment.
69. How does God want us to honor his representatives?
299) Ruth 1:15-18; 2:11,12. (Ruth faithfully served her
mother-in-law, Naomi.)
300) 1 Samuel 3:1-6. (Samuel faithfully served Eli the priest.)
301) 1 Samuel 19:4-6; 24:1-7. (David faithfully served and
respected Saul the king.)
79
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
302) Colossians 3:20. Children, obey your parents in everything, for
this pleases the Lord.
303) Hebrews 13:7,17. Remember your leaders, who spoke the
word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life
and imitate their faith. . . . Obey them so that their work will
be a joy, not a burden.
304) Titus 3:1. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.
305) Galatians 5:13. Serve one another in love.
306) 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13. We ask you . . . to respect those who
work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who
admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because
of their work.
307) Romans 13:7. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe
taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then
respect; if honor, then honor.
69. God wants us to honor his representatives by serving
and obeying them in a spirit of love and respect.
70. How long does God want us to honor his representatives?
308) 1 Kings 2:19. (When Solomon became king, he honored his
mother.)
309) 1 Timothy 5:4. Children or grandchildren . . . should learn . . .
to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is
pleasing to God.
310) Proverbs 23:22. Listen to your father who gave you life, and do
not despise your mother when she is old.
311) Leviticus 19:32. Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect
for the elderly and revere your God.
70. God wants us to honor his representatives also when
they grow old.
71. What does God forbid in this commandment?
312) 1 Samuel 2:22-25. (Eli’s sons did not listen to their father.)
313) 2 Kings 2:23,24. (Some young people called Elisha the
prophet a “baldhead” and were punished by God.)
80
FOURTH COMMANDMENT
314) 2 Samuel 15:1-12; 18:14-17. (Absalom said and did things to
turn the people against his father, the king. His rebellion ended
in a shameful death.)
315) Deuteronomy 21:18,21. If a man has a stubborn and rebellious
son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, . . . Then all the men of
his town shall stone him to death.
316) Proverbs 30:11,17. There are those who curse their fathers and
do not bless their mothers. The eye that mocks a father, that
scorns obedience to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens
of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.
317) 2 Timothy 3:1,2. Mark this: There will be terrible times in the
last days. People will be . . . abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful.
318a) Exodus 32:19-24. (The people of Israel made Moses angry by
their wickedness.)
318b) Numbers 16:12-15. (Dathan and Abiram angered Moses by
refusing to obey him.)
319) Proverbs 14:35. A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant incurs his wrath.
71. God forbids us to disobey, dishonor, or anger our parents or others in authority.
72. What does God want his representatives to do with
those who sin against this commandment?
320) 1 Samuel 2:29; 3:13. (God held Eli responsible for correcting
his sons when they sinned.)
321) Proverbs 13:24. He who spares the rod hates his son, but he
who loves him is careful to discipline him.
322) Colossians 3:21. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they
will become discouraged.
323) 2 Timothy 4:2. Preach the Word; . . . correct, rebuke and
encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
324) Romans 13:2-4. He who rebels against the authority is
rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so
will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror
for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. . . . But if
you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for
nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
81
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
72. God wants his representatives patiently to rebuke and
instruct those who sin against this commandment and
to punish them when necessary. (discipline)
73. How can such discipline be a blessing?
325) 1 Samuel 2:30-32; 3:11-14; 4:10,11. (Because Eli did not correct his sons, they died under God’s judgment.)
326) Proverbs 19:18. Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to his death.
327) Proverbs 23:13. Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you
punish him with the rod, he will not die.
328) Hebrews 10:31. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of
the living God.
73. Such discipline can be a blessing because it might
prevent a person from falling under God’s terrible
judgment.
74. Why, then, will a Christian honor God’s representatives also when they discipline him?
329) Proverbs 6:23. The corrections of discipline are the way to life.
330) Hebrews 12:11. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but
painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
74. A Christian will honor God’s representatives also
when they discipline him because he knows this is an
important training in his life.
75. When is the only time that God does not want us to
obey those in authority over us?
331) Acts 5:29. We must obey God rather than men!
332) Matthew 10:37. Anyone who loves his father or mother more
than me is not worthy of me.
75. God does not want us to obey those in authority over
us if they tell us to do something contrary to his Word.
76. How does the Fourth Commandment serve as a
mirror for us?
82
GOD BLESSES US BY
Church
Home
Government
Soul
Soul and Body
Body
HIS
REPRESENTATIVES
Do!
Don’t
Do!
HONOR
by
serving and obeying
in
love and respect
always
— Disobey
— Dishonor
— Anger
also
old
age
when
disciplined
83
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
333) Genesis 27:1-35. (Jacob deceived his father.)
334) Luke 15:11-32. (Note especially verse 21. The lost son sinned
against heaven and his father.)
335) Psalm 25:7. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways.
76. The Fourth Commandment shows us our sins because
we have not always honored God’s representatives as
he wants us to honor them.
77. How did Jesus save us from our sins against the
Fourth Commandment?
336) Luke 2:51. [Jesus] went down to Nazareth with them [his parents] and was obedient to them.
337) John 19:26,27. (Jesus provided for the care of his mother.)
338) Matthew 22:19-21. (Jesus honored the government.)
339) 1 Peter 2:22. He [Jesus] committed no sin, and no deceit was
found in his mouth.
77a. Jesus saved us by keeping the Fourth Commandment
perfectly for us.
340) Hebrews 10:10. We have been made holy through the sacrifice
of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
77b. Jesus saved us by dying as a sacrifice for all our sins.
78. How does the Fourth Commandment serve as a
guideline for us?
341) Colossians 3:20. Children, obey your parents in everything, for
this pleases the Lord.
342) Ephesians 6:7. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving
the Lord not men.
343) Ephesians 5:20,21. Giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one
another out of reverence for Christ.
78. The Fourth Commandment shows us that God wants
us to thank him for his goodness by honoring, serving,
and obeying his representatives.
84
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT
(God’s Gift of Life)
You shall not murder.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not
hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but
help and befriend him in every bodily need.
79. What is God protecting by the Fifth Commandment?
344) Genesis 2:7. The LORD God formed the man from the dust of
the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and
the man became a living being.
345) Acts 17:25,28. He himself [God] gives all men life and breath.
. . . in him we live and move and have our being.
346) Genesis 9:5,6. For your lifeblood I will surely demand an
accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal.
And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the
life of his fellow man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by
man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God
made man.
79. By the Fifth Commandment, God is protecting his gift
to man of body and life.
80. Why is the time of a person’s life so important?
347) Luke 16:19-24. (Lazarus died and went to heaven. The rich
man died and went to hell.)
348) Matthew 25:1-13. (The five foolish virgins were given no second chance.)
349) Isaiah 55:6. Seek the LORD while he may be found.
350) 2 Corinthians 6:1,2. We urge you not to receive God’s grace in
vain. . . . I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the
day of salvation.
85
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
351) Hebrews 9:27. Man is destined to die once, and after that to
face judgment.
80. Man’s time of life is so important because once a person dies he is either saved or lost forever. (time
of grace)
81. Who only has the right to end a person’s life?
352) Deuteronomy 32:39. There is no god besides me. I put to death
and I bring to life.
353) Psalm 31:15. My times are in your hands.
354) Psalm 90:3. You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust,
O sons of men.”
355) Genesis 9:5,6. From each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. Whoever sheds the blood of
man, by man shall his blood be shed.
356) Romans 13:4. He [the governing authority] does not bear the
sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to
bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
81. Only God or his appointed representatives in government have the right to end a person’s life.
82. What does God forbid regarding his gift of body
and life?
357) Proverbs 23:20,31-33. Do not join those who drink too much
wine or gorge themselves on meat. . . . Do not gaze at wine
when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down
smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a
viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine
confusing things.
82a. God forbids anyone to harm his own body in any way.
(overeating, overdrinking, poisoning one’s body or
losing control of one’s senses by the abuse of alcohol
or drugs)
358) 1 Samuel 31:4; Matthew 27:5. (Saul and Judas committed
suicide.)
359) Acts 1:25. Judas left [his ministry] to go where he belongs.
360) Psalm 31:15. My times are in your hands.
82b. God forbids suicide.
86
FIFTH COMMANDMENT
361) Genesis 4:2-15. (Cain killed Abel.)
362) 2 Samuel 11:2-17. (David killed Uriah through others.)
363) Exodus 21:29; Deuteronomy 22:8. (People caused the death of
others through their carelessness.)
364) Exodus 21:22-24. (Note in verse 23 “life for life”; God considered life in the womb equal to any other life.)
82c. God forbids anyone to cause the loss of another person’s life in any way. (directly or indirectly or as a
result of carelessness, abortion, “mercy death”)
365) Exodus 21:18,19,23,26,27. (God forbade harming another person’s body in any way.)
366) Numbers 35:16-18. (Harm done to another can result in death.)
367) Genesis 37:11-35. (The brothers by their deeds made
Joseph’s life miserable. By their words they made their
father’s life miserable.)
368) Romans 12:18-21. (God forbids revenge.)
369) 1 Peter 3:9. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.
82d. God forbids all words or deeds that harm another person’s body, shorten his life, or make his life miserable.
370) Matthew 5:21,22. You have heard that it was said to the
people long ago, “Do not murder, and anyone who murders
will be subject to judgment.” But I tell you that anyone who
is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. . . . But
anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire
of hell.
371) 1 John 3:15. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and
you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
372) Genesis 4:5-7. (God warned Cain not to let anger continue in
his heart.)
82e. God forbids every hateful thought or word.
83. According to the Fifth Commandment, what does
God want us to do?
373) 1 John 4:7,20. Let us love one another, for love comes from
God. . . . anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has
seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
87
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
374) 1 Thessalonians 5:14,15. Be patient with everyone. Make
sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try
to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
375) Ephesians 4:31,32. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger. . . .
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,
just as in Christ God forgave you.
376) Genesis 45:3-15; 50:15-21. (Joseph forgave his brothers from
his heart.)
377) Matthew 18:35. This is how my heavenly Father will treat
each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.
83a. God wants us to be patient, kind, and forgiving from
our hearts toward everyone.
378) Genesis 45:8-11,16-23. (Joseph provided for the bodily needs
of his father and brothers.)
379) Luke 10:33-35. (The Good Samaritan helped the man who
was robbed and beaten.)
380) Romans 12:20. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is
thirsty, give him something to drink.
381) Matthew 25:35,36. I was hungry and you gave me something
to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I
was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and
you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in
prison and you came to visit me.
83b. God wants us to help and befriend everyone in every
bodily need.
84. How does the Fifth Commandment serve as a mirror for us?
382) Luke 9:51-55. (James and John wanted to destroy a
Samaritan village in their anger.)
383) 1 Samuel 25:32-34. (David lost his temper and intended to
kill Nabal.)
384) Galatians 5:19-21. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: . . .
hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I
warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not
inherit the kingdom of God.
88
God’s
Gift of
LIFE
Do!
Don’t
Do!
— Be patient
— Harm my own body
— Be kind
— Be forgiving
— Be helpful
— Be a friend
TIME
OF
GRACE
— Suicide
— Harm another’s body
— Murder
— Hateful thoughts
—
and words
Ended only
by God
or
his representative
89
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
84. The Fifth Commandment shows us our sins because
we have not always respected God’s gift of body and
life the way he wants us to respect it.
85. How did Jesus save us from our sins against the
Fifth Commandment?
385) Matthew 4:24. People brought to him all who were ill with
various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demonpossessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he
healed them.
386) Luke 23:34. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not
know what they are doing.”
387) 1 Peter 2:22,23. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found
in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not
retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.
85a. Jesus saved us by keeping the Fifth Commandment
perfectly for us.
388) 1 Peter 2:24. He himself bore our sins in his body on the
tree . . . ; by his wounds you have been healed.
85b. Jesus saved us by dying for all our sins.
86. How does the Fifth Commandment serve as a
guideline?
389) 1 John 3:23. This is his command: to believe in the name of
his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
390) Colossians 3:12,13. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy
and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other
and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one
another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
86. The Fifth Commandment shows us that God wants us
to thank him for his goodness by treating his gift of
body and life in ways which are pleasing to him.
90
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT
(God’s Gift of Marriage)
You shall not commit adultery.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we lead a
pure and decent life in words and actions,
and that husband and wife love and honor
each other.
87. What is God protecting by the Sixth Commandment?
391) Genesis 2:19-24. (God gave marriage when he brought Eve to
Adam.)
392) Proverbs 18:22. He who finds a wife finds what is good and
receives favor from the LORD.
393) Hebrews 13:4. Marriage should be honored by all, and the
marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all
the sexually immoral.
87. By the Sixth Commandment, God is protecting his gift
of marriage.
88. According to God’s Word, what is marriage?
394) Genesis 2:24. A man will leave his father and mother and be
united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
395) Matthew 19:5,6. A man will leave his father and mother and be
united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they
are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined
together, let man not separate.
396) Romans 7:2. A married woman is bound to her husband as
long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from
the law of marriage.
88. According to God’s Word, marriage is a lifelong union
of one man and one woman.
91
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Entering Marriage
The marriage union is established when a man and a woman
freely choose to leave father and mother and enter a lifelong
union as husband and wife (Matthew 19:5,6; Genesis 24:57).
Usually there is a period of time between the day when a man
and woman make the promise to one another that they will be
united for life and the day that they actually begin living
together as husband and wife (cf. Joseph and Mary, Matthew
1:18-20,24). This is not a time for the couple to reconsider
their promise to one another, but a time in which they can publicly announce their promise and make whatever preparations
are necessary for their marriage and their life together. No
Christian will ever want to break any promise he or she makes
(Ephesians 4:25). This is especially true of the promise to
unite oneself with another person for life because this promise
involves the deepest feelings and the entire life of the other
person. To break such a promise is not only a sin in itself, but
it will also surely make the other person’s life miserable,
which is also a sin (see Answer 82d).
According to the Fourth Commandment, a Christian man
and woman will not promise one another that they will be
united for life without seeking the counsel and consent of their
parents, nor will they begin living together as husband and
wife before they have fulfilled the legal requirements that the
government has set down for entering marriage.
89. How does God bless us in marriage?
397) Genesis 2:18. The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man
to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
398) Ephesians 5:24,25. Now as the church submits to Christ, so
also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and
gave himself up for her.
399) 1 Corinthians 11:3. The head of every man is Christ, and the
head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
89a. God blesses us in marriage with a loving companionship
in which the man is the head and the woman is his helper.
92
SIXTH COMMANDMENT
400) Genesis 2:24. They will become one flesh.
401) 1 Corinthians 7:2-5. (God provides for sexual happiness in
marriage.)
402) Song of Songs 1:15,16; 4:1-7; 5:10-16. (The physical attraction of husband and wife is natural and beautiful.)
89b. God blesses us in marriage with sexual happiness.
403) Psalm 127:3. Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a
reward from him.
404) Genesis 33:5. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has
graciously given your servant.”
405) 1 Samuel 1:9-20. (God gave Hannah a son in answer to her fervent prayer for a child.)
406) Psalm 113:9. He settles the barren woman in her home as a
happy mother of children.
407) Genesis 1:27,28. Male and female he created them. God
blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in
number; fill the earth and subdue it.”
408) Proverbs 17:6. Children’s children are a crown to the aged.
89c. God blesses us in marriage with his precious gift
of children.
90. How does a married person sin against God’s will
in regard to his gift of marriage?
409) Colossians 3:19. Husbands, love your wives and do not be
harsh with them.
410) Proverbs 21:19. Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.
90a. A married person sins if he or she destroys the loving
companionship of the marriage.
411) 2 Samuel 11:1-4. (David sinned when he lusted for Uriah’s
wife, Bathsheba, and had her come to his house, so that he
could have sexual intercourse with her.)
412) Hebrews 13:4. Marriage should be honored by all, and the
marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and
all the sexually immoral.
93
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
90b. A married person sins if he or she has sexual intercourse with anyone other than the marriage partner.
413) Matthew 19:9. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife,
except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman
commits adultery.
414) 1 Corinthians 7:15. If the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A
believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances.
90c. A married person sins if he or she divorces the marriage partner for any reason except marital unfaithfulness or desertion.
91. How does an unmarried person sin against God’s
will in regard to his gift of marriage?
415) Genesis 39:6-12. (Joseph refused to have sexual intercourse
with Potiphar’s wife saying, “How could I do such a wicked
thing and sin against God?”)
416) 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of
you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy
and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do
not know God.
417) Ephesians 5:5. Of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or
greedy person . . . has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God.
91. An unmarried person sins if he or she has sexual intercourse before marriage.
92. What does God also forbid in this commandment
for both married and unmarried?
418) Ephesians 5:3,4. Among you there must not be even a hint of
sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity. . . . Nor should
there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out
of place.
419) Ephesians 5:12. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
420) Matthew 5:27,28. You have heard that it was said, “Do not
commit adultery.” But I tell you that anyone who looks at a
94
SIXTH COMMANDMENT
woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in
his heart.
92. God forbids all impure words and lustful thoughts.
93. What does God say about homosexuality?
421) 1 Corinthians 6:9,10. Do you not know that the wicked will not
inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the
sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor
drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
422) Romans 1:26,27. God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even
their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In
the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with
women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
93. God condemns homosexuality as sin.
94. According to the Sixth Commandment, what does
God want us to do?
423) 1 Timothy 5:22. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
424) Romans 13:13,14. Let us behave decently, . . . not in sexual
immorality and debauchery. . . . Rather, clothe yourselves with
the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the
desires of the sinful nature.
425) Psalm 51:10. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a
steadfast spirit within me.
426) Philippians 4:8. Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever
is admirable . . . think about such things.
94a. God wants us to be pure and decent in our thoughts,
words, and actions.
427) Ephesians 5:33. Each one of you . . . must love his wife as he
loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
428) 1 Corinthians 11:11. In the Lord . . . woman is not independent
of man, nor is man independent of woman.
95
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
429) 1 Peter 3:1,3,4,7. Wives, . . . be submissive to your husbands.
. . . Your beauty should not come from outward adornment,
such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine
clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth
in God’s sight. . . . Husbands, in the same way be considerate
as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect.
94b. God wants us as husband and wife to honor and love
each other.
95. Of what does God remind us to encourage us to
keep this commandment?
430) 1 Corinthians 6:18,19. Flee from sexual immorality. All other
sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your
body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you
have received from God? You are not your own; you were
bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
431) Proverbs 1:10. My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in
to them.
432) 2 Timothy 2:22. Flee the evil desires of youth.
433) 1 Corinthians 15:33. Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts
good character.”
95. God reminds us that our bodies are the dwelling-place
of the Holy Spirit so that we flee from people and places
which tempt us to sin against this commandment.
96. How does the Sixth Commandment serve as a mirror for us?
434) Psalm 51:1-12. (David confesses his failure to be pure in his
heart and in his life.)
435) Colossians 3:5,6. Put to death . . . whatever belongs to your
earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires.
. . . Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
96. The Sixth Commandment shows us our sins because
we have not always been pure in thought, word,
and action.
96
God’s
Gift of
MARRIAGE
GIVEN
(not a
human
custom)
BLESSED
(companionship)
(sexual happiness)
(children)
REGULATED
(lifelong
union)
Do!
Don’t
Do!
— Be pure in thought,
word, and deed
— Destroy
companionship
— Honor and love
marriage partner
— Be unfaithful
— Divorce
— Flee temptation
— Have premarital
sex
— Have impure words
and thoughts
— Be a homosexual
97
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
97. How did Jesus save us from our sins against the
Sixth Commandment?
436) Hebrews 4:15. We have one who has been tempted in every
way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
437) Hebrews 7:26. Such a high priest meets our need—one who is
holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners.
97a. Jesus saved us by keeping the Sixth Commandment
perfectly for us.
438) 2 Corinthians 5:21. God made him who had no sin to be sin for
us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
97b. Jesus saved us by dying for all our sins.
98. How does the Sixth Commandment serve as a
guideline for us?
439) 2 Corinthians 5:15. He died for all, that those who live should
no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them
and was raised again.
440) 1 Thessalonians 4:1,7. We instructed you how to live in order
to please God. . . . For God did not call us to be impure, but to
live a holy life.
441) Ephesians 5:1-4. Be imitators of God . . . as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave
himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual
immorality. . . . Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or
coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
98. The Sixth Commandment shows us that God wants us
to thank him for all his goodness by honoring his gift
of marriage in ways which are pleasing to him.
98
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
(God’s Gift of Possessions)
You shall not steal.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not
take our neighbor’s money or property, or get
it by dishonest dealing, but help him to improve
and protect his property and means of income.
99. What is God protecting by the Seventh Commandment?
442) Job 1:13-22. (Job recognized that all his possessions came
from God. Note especially verse 21, “The LORD gave and the
LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”)
443) James 1:17. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming
down from the Father of the heavenly lights.
99. By the Seventh Commandment, God is protecting his
gift of possessions.
100. How does God give us our possessions?
444) Deuteronomy 8:17,18. You may say to yourself, “My power
and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for
me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives
you the ability to produce wealth.
445) Genesis 32:9,10; 33:10,11. (Jacob knew that what he had was
the result of God blessing his 20 years of work.)
446) 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. If a man will not work, he shall not
eat. We hear that some among you are idle. . . . Such people we
command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and
earn the bread they eat.
447) Genesis 23:16-19. (Abraham purchased the field and cave of
Machpelah.)
99
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
100a. God blesses us with the ability to work so that we can
purchase possessions or trade for them.
448) 1 Kings 21:3. (Naboth inherited his vineyard.)
449) Matthew 7:11. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
100b. God blesses us with possessions through inheritance
and gifts.
101. How does God want us to use our possessions?
450) 1 Timothy 5:8. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and
especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and
is worse than an unbeliever.
101a. God wants us to use our possessions to provide for
our families.
451) 1 John 3:17. If anyone has material possessions and sees his
brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of
God be in him?
452) Matthew 5:42. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn
away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
453) Luke 19:8. Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look,
Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor.”
101b. God wants us to use our possessions to give or to lend
to those in need.
454) Romans 13:6,7. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes;
if revenue, then revenue.
101c. God wants us to use our possessions to pay the taxes
we owe to the government.
455) Mark 12:41-44. (Jesus rejoiced in the widow’s generous
offering.)
456) Malachi 3:8-10. (God said the people were robbing him and
challenged them to test how he would bless their offerings.)
100
SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
457) 1 Corinthians 16:2. On the first day of every week, each one of
you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his
income, saving it up.
458) 2 Corinthians 9:7. Each man should give what he has decided
in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for
God loves a cheerful giver.
101d. God wants us to use our possessions to make regular
and planned offerings for the work of the church.
102. What reminder does God give us to encourage the
faithful use of our possessions?
459) Psalm 24:1. The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.
460) Matthew 25:14-30. (Jesus teaches that everyone is responsible
to God for how he manages God’s gifts.)
461) 1 Corinthians 4:2. It is required that those who have been given
a trust must prove faithful.
102. God reminds us that we are responsible to him for how
faithfully we use our possessions.
103. What does God forbid regarding his gift of possessions?
462) Luke 15:11-20. (The lost son wasted his possessions.)
463) Matthew 14:20; 15:37. (Jesus had the disciples pick up the leftovers so that none would be wasted.)
103a. God forbids us to waste the possessions he gives us.
464) Luke 10:30-37. (The man on the road to Jericho was beaten
and robbed.)
465) Proverbs 22:16,22. (God warns against using one’s power to
exploit others.)
103b. God forbids us to take the possessions of others by
force. (robbery)
466) John 12:6. [Judas] was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he
used to help himself to what was put into it.
467) Matthew 24:43. If the owner of the house had known at what
time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch
and would not have let his house be broken into.
101
Ability to
work
Gift or
inheritance
God’s
Gift of
POSSESSIONS
provide
for
family
help
the
needy
Do!
pay
taxes
support
work of
the church
Don’t
Do!
— Be content
— Waste
— Do faithful work
— Robbery
— Help others
— Theft
— Fraud
— Greedy
thoughts
102
SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
103c. God forbids us to take the possessions of others
secretly. (theft)
468) Leviticus 19:35. Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity.
469) Psalm 37:21. The wicked borrow and do not repay.
470) James 5:4. The wages you failed to pay the workmen who
mowed your fields are crying out against you.
471) Proverbs 16:8. Better a little with righteousness than much
gain with injustice.
472) Proverbs 21:6. A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting
vapor and a deadly snare.
103d. God forbids us to get the possessions of others by dishonest dealing. (fraud)
473) 1 Kings 21:4-16. (Ahab’s greed led him to take Naboth’s
vineyard.)
474) 1 Timothy 6:9,10. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of
money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for
money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves
with many griefs.
475) Luke 12:15. Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of
greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his
possessions.
103e. God forbids us to have greedy thoughts about the possessions of others.
104. According to the Seventh Commandment, what
does God want us to do?
476) 1 Timothy 6:6-8. Godliness with contentment is great gain. For
we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing
out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content
with that.
477) Hebrews 13:5. Keep your lives free from the love of money
and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
103
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
104a. God wants us to be content with the possessions he
gives us.
478) Genesis 39:2-6,20-23; Daniel 6:1-4. (Joseph and Daniel were
faithful in their work.)
479) Colossians 3:22,23. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in
everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to
win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the
Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
104b. God wants us to help our employer with his money
and property by faithful work.
480) 1 Corinthians 10:24. Nobody should seek his own good, but
the good of others.
481) Genesis 13:5-12; 14:12-16. (Abraham generously gave Lot the
first choice of land and recovered his property for him at the
risk of his [Abraham’s] own life.)
482) Proverbs 11:25. A generous man will prosper; he who
refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
104c. God wants us to be as concerned about helping others
with their money and property as we are about
our own.
105. How does the Seventh Commandment serve as a
mirror for us?
483) Genesis 25:29-33. (Jacob took advantage of Esau to get him to
sell his birthright.)
484) James 2:14-17. (Failure to help the needy is a sin.)
485) 2 Corinthians 9:7. Each man should give what he has decided
in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for
God loves a cheerful giver.
486) Colossians 3:5. Put to death . . . whatever belongs to your
earthly nature: . . . desires and greed, which is idolatry.
105. The Seventh Commandment shows us our sins
because we have not always been content with our
possessions or used them as God wants us to.
104
SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
106. How did Jesus save us from our sins against the
Seventh Commandment?
487) 2 Corinthians 8:9. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became
poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
488) Romans 5:19. Just as through the disobedience of the one man
the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of
the one man the many will be made righteous.
106a. Jesus saved us by keeping the Seventh Commandment
perfectly for us.
489) Galatians 3:13. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law
by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
106b. Jesus saved us by dying to take away the curse of our
sins.
107. How does the Seventh Commandment serve as a
guideline for us?
490) Ephesians 4:28. He who has been stealing must steal no longer,
but must work, doing something useful with his own hands,
that he may have something to share with those in need.
491) Hebrews 11:24-26. (Moses rejected the treasures of Egypt to
belong to God’s people.)
492) Hebrews 13:15,16. Through Jesus . . . let us continually offer
to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his
name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
107. The Seventh Commandment shows us that God wants
us to thank him for his goodness by using his gift of
possessions in ways which are pleasing to him.
105
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
(God’s Gift of a Good Name)
You shall not give false testimony against your
neighbor.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not
tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, or
give him a bad name, but defend him, speak
well of him, and take his words and actions in
the kindest possible way.
108. What is God protecting by the Eighth Commandment?
493) Proverbs 22:1. A good name is more desirable than great
riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
494) Proverbs 11:9. With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor.
495) Matthew 12:36. I tell you that men will have to give account on
the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
108. By the Eighth Commandment, God is protecting the
gift of a good name.
109. Why is God’s gift of a good name important?
496) Leviticus 19:16. Do not go about spreading slander among
your people.
497) Proverbs 16:28. A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
498) Genesis 39:16-20. (Potiphar threw Joseph into prison because
of a lie.)
109. A good name is important because it determines
whether or not other people will respect us or trust us.
106
EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
110. What does God forbid regarding his gift of a good
name?
499) Colossians 3:9. Do not lie to each other.
500) Proverbs 19:5. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he
who pours out lies will not go free.
501) John 8:44. [The devil] is a liar and the father of lies.
502) Genesis 39:16-20. (Potiphar’s wife told a lie about Joseph.)
503) Psalm 109:2. They have spoken against me with lying tongues.
110a. God forbids us to lie to another person or about him.
504) John 13:2. The devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son
of Simon, to betray Jesus.
505) Proverbs 25:9. Do not betray another man’s confidence.
506) Proverbs 11:13. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
110b. God forbids us to betray another person’s secrets.
507) 2 Samuel 15:1-6. (Absalom criticized his father to give him a
bad name.)
508) James 4:11. Do not slander one another.
509) Proverbs 17:9. He who covers over an offense promotes love,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
510) 1 Timothy 5:13. They get into the habit of being idle and going
about from house to house. And not only do they become
idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they
ought not to.
110c. God forbids us to say anything that will give another
person a bad name.
111. What, then, does God mean when he forbids false
testimony?
511) Genesis 3:1-5. (The devil spoke from a heart that intended to
hurt God’s good name and to hurt Adam and Eve.)
512) Matthew 22:15-18. (The Pharisees spoke from hearts that
intended to trap Jesus.)
513) John 12:1-6. (Judas spoke against Mary from a heart that had
evil intentions.)
107
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
514) Proverbs 6:16-19. The Lord hates . . . a heart that devises
wicked schemes, . . . a false witness who pours out lies and a
man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
111. When God forbids false testimony, he means all talk,
whether true or untrue, that comes from a heart with
evil intentions.
112. What does God want us to do according to the
Eighth Commandment?
515) 1 Samuel 20:30-32. (Jonathan defended David.)
516) Proverbs 31:8,9. Speak up for those who cannot speak for
themselves, . . . defend the rights of the poor and needy.
112a. God wants us to defend the good name of others.
517) 1 Samuel 19:1-6. (Jonathan spoke well of David.)
518) Luke 7:1-5. (The Jews spoke well of the centurion.)
112b. God wants us to speak well of others.
519) 1 Corinthians 13:5-7. [Love] keeps no record of wrongs. Love
does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always
protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
520) Luke 6:37. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not
condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you
will be forgiven.
521) Proverbs 10:12. Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers
over all wrongs.
522) 1 Peter 4:8. Above all, love each other deeply, because love
covers over a multitude of sins.
112c. God wants us to take the words and actions of others
in the kindest possible way.
113. What does God want us to do when we know about
another person’s sin?
523) 2 Samuel 12:1-14. (Nathan pointed out David’s sin to him.)
524) Matthew 14:1-4. (John pointed out Herod’s sin to him.)
525) Matthew 18:15. If your brother sins against you, go and show
him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you,
you have won your brother over.
108
God’s
Gift of a
GOOD NAME
Don’t
Do!
Do!
— Defend others
— Lie
— Speak well
of others
— Betray
— Take words and
actions in the
kindest possible
way
— Give anyone
a bad name
— Lead to
repentance
OTHERS RESPECT
AND
TRUST US
109
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
526) Luke 17:3. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents,
forgive him.
113. God wants us to go to him and show him his sin in
order to lead him to repent.
114. How does the Eighth Commandment serve as a
mirror for us?
527) James 3:2,6. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at
fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole
body in check. The tongue. . . is a fire, a world of evil among the
parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole
course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
528) Romans 1:29-32. They have become filled with every kind
of wickedness. . . . They are gossips, slanderers. . . . they
know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things
deserve death.
114. The Eighth Commandment shows us our sins because
we have not always honored God’s gift of a good name
as he wants us to.
115. How did Jesus save us from our sins against the
Eighth Commandment?
529) Matthew 12:1-7. (Jesus defended his disciples.)
530) Matthew 26:6-13. (Jesus spoke well of Mary.)
531) Luke 23:34. (Jesus took the words and actions of those who
crucified him in the kindest possible way.)
532) 1 Peter 2:22,23. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found
in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not
retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he
entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
115a. Jesus saved us by keeping the Eighth Commandment
perfectly for us.
533) Romans 5:8,10. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
. . . when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him
through the death of his Son.
115b. Jesus saved us by dying for all our sins.
110
EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
116. How does the Eighth Commandment serve as a
guideline for us?
534) Ephesians 4:25. Each of you must put off falsehood and speak
truthfully to his neighbor.
535) Colossians 3:12,13. As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
536) 1 Peter 3:8-10. Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not
repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must
keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.”
116. The Eighth Commandment shows us that God wants
us to thank him for his goodness by the way we speak
about the good name of other people.
111
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
(Holy Desires)
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not
scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or
house, or obtain it by a show of right, but do
all we can to help him keep it.
THE TENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,
workers, animals, or anything that belongs to
your neighbor.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not
force or entice away our neighbor’s spouse,
workers, or animals, but urge them to stay
and do their duty.
117. What does God mean when he forbids us to covet?
537) Romans 7:7,8. I would not have known what coveting really
was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing
the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in
me every kind of covetous desire.
538) Joshua 7:20,21. (Achan had a sinful desire for the forbidden
plunder.)
539) Psalm 10:2,3. The wicked man . . . boasts of the cravings of
his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
540) James 4:2. You . . . covet, but you cannot have what you want.
112
NINTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS
117. When God forbids us to covet, he is forbidding us to
have a sinful desire or craving in our hearts for something we should not want to have.
118. What is God deeply impressing on us, then, by the
two commands, “You shall not covet”?
541) Psalm 94:11. The LORD knows the thoughts of man.
542) Proverbs 15:26. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but those of the pure are pleasing to him.
543) Hebrews 4:12,13. The word of God . . . judges the thoughts
and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden
from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before
the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
118. God is impressing on us that he knows and condemns
not only our sinful words and actions but also our sinful thoughts.
119. What will sinful desires tempt us to do?
544) James 1:14,15. Each one is tempted when, by his own evil
desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin.
545) 1 Timothy 6:10. The love of money is a root of all kinds of
evil.
119a. Sinful desires will tempt us to sin also in word
or action.
546) 1 Kings 21:1-16. (Ahab’s coveting of Naboth’s inheritance led
to scheming that included false witness and murder.)
547) Isaiah 5:8. Woe to you who add house to house and join field
to field.
548) James 5:5,6. You have lived on earth in luxury and selfindulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of
slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men,
who were not opposing you.
119b. Sinful desires will tempt us to scheme to get another
person’s property or house or obtain it by a show
of right.
113
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
549) Matthew 14:3,4. (Herod took his brother Philip’s wife away
from him.)
550) 2 Samuel 15:2-6. (Absalom turned the hearts of the people
away from King David to himself.)
551) 2 Samuel 12:1-5. (Nathan pictures a rich man who forced the
poor man to give up his pet lamb.)
119c. Sinful desires will tempt us to force or entice away
another person’s spouse, workers, or animals.
120. What does God teach us by adding the words “or
anything that belongs to your neighbor”?
552) 1 Corinthians 7:17. Each one should retain the place in life that
the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.
553) Philippians 4:11-13. I have learned to be content whatever the
circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what
it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content
in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything
through him who gives me strength.
554) Hebrews 13:5. Be content with what you have, because God
has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
120. By adding these words, God teaches us always to be
content with everything in our lives so that we do not
covet anything that belongs to our neighbor.
121. What kind of desires does God want us to have in
our hearts?
555) Leviticus 19:2. Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
556) Matthew 5:8. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will
see God.
557) Philippians 4:8. Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever
is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think
about such things.
121. God wants us to have only pure and holy desires in our
hearts.
122. What will such holy desires lead us to do?
114
NINTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS
558) Galatians 5:13. Serve one another in love.
559) Philippians 2:4. Each of you should look not only to your own
interests, but also to the interests of others.
560) Genesis 14:13-24. (Abraham helped Lot and the king of
Sodom recover their property.)
122a. Holy desires lead us to do all we can to help another
person keep his property and house.
561) Genesis 39:8-10. (By resisting her advances Joseph urged
Potiphar’s wife to be faithful to her husband.)
562) Philemon 12. (Paul urged the slave Onesimus to go back to his
master.)
563) Exodus 23:4. If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey
wandering off, be sure to take it back to him.
122b. Holy desires will lead us to urge another person’s
spouse, workers, or animals to stay and do their duty.
123. How do the Ninth and Tenth Commandments serve
as a mirror for us?
564) Romans 7:7,8. I would not have known what coveting really
was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the
opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me
every kind of covetous desire.
565) Proverbs 20:9. Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am
clean and without sin”?
566) James 4:1,2. What causes fights and quarrels among you?
Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You
want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you
cannot have what you want.
123. The Ninth and Tenth Commandments show us our sins
because we have sinful desires or cravings for something we should not want to have.
124. How did Jesus save us from our sins against these
commandments?
567) Hebrews 4:15. We have one who has been tempted in every
way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
568) 1 John 3:5. In him [Jesus] is no sin.
115
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
124a. Jesus saved us by keeping the Ninth and Tenth Commandments perfectly for us.
569) l Corinthians 15:3. Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures.
570) Hebrews 9:26. He has appeared once for all at the end of the
ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.
124b. Jesus saved us by dying as a sacrifice for all our sins.
125. How do the Ninth and Tenth Commandments serve
as a guideline for us?
571) Galatians 5:24. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
572) Ephesians 4:22-24. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude
of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like
God in true righteousness and holiness.
573) 1 Peter 1:14-16. As obedient children, do not conform to the
evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as
he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is
written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
574) 1 Peter 4:1,2. Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves
. . . with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his
body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his
earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
575) 1 John 3:2,3. We know that when he appears, we shall be like
him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope
in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
125. The Ninth and Tenth Commandments show us that
God wants us to thank him for his goodness by having
only holy desires in our hearts.
The Old Adam and the New Man or New Person
126. Why do we have so many sinful desires?
576) Romans 7:18. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in
my sinful nature.
116
NINTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS
577) Genesis 6:5. The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the
earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of
his heart was only evil all the time. (See also Genesis 8:21.)
578) Mark 7:21,22. From within, out of men’s hearts, come evil
thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed,
malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
579) Romans 8:7. The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
126. We have so many sinful desires because by nature we
have a heart and a mind that are inclined only toward
evil. (sinful nature, flesh, old Adam, old man, or old self)
127. Why do we have by nature a heart and a mind that
are inclined only toward evil?
580) Genesis 2:16,17; 3:6. (Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command and so brought sin and death into the world.)
581) Romans 5:12. Just as sin entered the world through one man,
and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men,
because all sinned.
582) John 3:6. Flesh gives birth to flesh.
583) Psalm 51:5. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my
mother conceived me.
584) Ephesians 2:3. Like the rest, we were by nature objects
of wrath.
127. We have such a heart and mind by nature because all
people are conceived and born in sin as a result of
Adam’s fall into sin. (inherited or original sin)
128. What punishment do we deserve because of our sinful nature and the sinful desires it produces in us?
585) Genesis 6:4-7. (God brought the judgment of the flood on men
both because of their evil deeds and their sinful desires.)
586) Matthew 5:28,29. Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has
already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right
eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole
body to be thrown into hell.
587) 1 John 3:15. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and
you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
117
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
588) Romans 6:23. The wages of sin is death.
128. We deserve the same punishment of death and hell for
sinful thoughts as we do for sinful words and actions.
129. How are we saved from the punishment we
deserve because of our sinful nature and the sinful
desires it produces in us?
589) Ephesians 2:1,3-5. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. . . . All of us . . . lived among them at one
time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by
nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us,
God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even
when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you
have been saved.
590) Romans 5:17. If, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned
through that one man, how much more will those who receive
God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
129. It is only by God’s grace to us in Christ that we are
saved from the punishment we deserve because of
our sinful nature.
130. What is the only reason that we have pure and
holy desires in our hearts?
591) Ezekiel 11:19,20. I will give them an undivided heart and put
a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of
stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my
decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
592) 2 Corinthians 5:17,18. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from
God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.
593) Ephesians 4:21-24. You heard of him [Christ] and were taught
in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were
taught . . . to put off your old self, which is being corrupted
by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your
minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in
true righteousness and holiness.
594) Romans 7:22. In my inner being I delight in God’s law.
118
COVETING
(sinful desires)
Don’t
Do!
Do!
Have pure
and holy
desires
Desire
something
we should
not want
lead to
lead to
God-pleasing
words and
deeds
sinful
words and
deeds
by faith
new
person
(knows and
loves
God’s will)
C
O
N
F
L
I
C
T
by birth
old
Adam
(heart
inclined
only to evil)
119
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
130. We have pure and holy desires only because of the new
heart and mind that God creates in us by faith in Jesus.
(new man, new person, new self, inner being, spirit)
131. What is the result of our having both an old Adam
and a new man in us?
595) Romans 7:25. So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to
God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
596) Galatians 5:17. The sinful nature desires what is contrary to
the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other.
131. The result is a constant conflict in us between our old
Adam and our new man.
132. How are we strengthened in this conflict to fight the
old Adam and to follow the new man?
597) Romans 7:22-25. In my inner being I delight in God’s law; but
I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging
war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of
the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched
man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
598) Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ and I no
longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I
live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me.
132. God strengthens us by faith in Jesus to fight the old
Adam and to follow the new man. (See “Belonging to
Christ” under The Second Article, ‘‘Sanctified to Do
Good Works” under The Third Article, and the fourth
part of Baptism.)
120
THE CONCLUSION
What does God say about all
these commandments?
He says, “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous
God, punishing the children for the sin of the
fathers to the third and fourth generation of
those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and
keep my commandments.”
What does this mean?
God threatens to punish all who transgress
these commandments. Therefore we should
fear his anger and not disobey what he
commands.
But he promises grace and every blessing to
all who keep these commandments. Therefore
we should love and trust in him and gladly
obey what he commands.
133. How does God want his commandments to be kept?
599) Leviticus 19:2. Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
600) Matthew 5:48. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is
perfect.
601) James 2:10. Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at
just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
133. God wants his commandments to be kept perfectly.
134. What does God call any breaking of his commandments?
602) 1 John 3:4. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is
lawlessness.
121
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
603) Isaiah 53:5. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was
crushed for our iniquities.
134. God calls any breaking of his commandments sin
(missing the mark), transgression (crossing the forbidden line), and iniquity (failing to measure up perfectly).
135. With what does God threaten to punish all who
break his commandments?
604) Genesis 3:17,18. (God cursed the ground as a constant
reminder of his anger with sin.)
605) Genesis 4:1-16. (God was angry with Cain and punished him
for his sin of killing his brother Abel.)
606) Psalm 38:1-8. (David felt the anger of God resting on him.)
607) Isaiah 57:21. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the
wicked.”
608) Romans 1:18. The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven
against all the godlessness and wickedness of men.
609) 1 Samuel 15:22,23. (God rejected Saul as king because of his
disobedience.)
610) 1 Kings 17:1; 18:16-18. (God brought a famine on the people
of Israel because Ahab led them to worship Baal.)
135a. God threatens to punish all who break his commandments with his anger and with trouble during their
lives on earth.
611)
612)
613)
614)
615)
Genesis 2:17; 3:17,19. (The result of sin is death.)
Ezekiel 18:4. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
Romans 6:23. The wages of sin is death.
Romans 5:12. Death came to all men, because all sinned.
Luke 16:22-24. (After death the rich man was in the torment
of hell.)
616) Matthew 10:28. Be afraid of the One who can destroy both
soul and body in hell.
617) Matthew 25:41,46. Then he will say to those on his left,
“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Then they will go away to
eternal punishment.
135b. God threatens to punish all who break his commandments with death and the eternal fire of hell.
122
CONCLUSION
136. What does God want to impress on us by his threat
to punish to the third and fourth generation of
those that hate him?
618) Deuteronomy 5:9. I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God,
punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and
fourth generation of those who hate me.
619) Deuteronomy 6:13,15. Fear the LORD your God, serve him
only . . . for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God.
620) Deuteronomy 4:24. The LORD your God is a consuming fire, a
jealous God.
621) Galatians 3:10. Cursed is everyone who does not continue to
do everything written in the Book of the Law.
136. By this threat God wants to impress on us that he is a
jealous God, that is, he is serious about wanting us to
keep every one of his commandments.
137. Why do we need God’s threat to punish sinners?
622) Romans 8:7,8. The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not
submit to God’s law. . . . Those controlled by the sinful nature
cannot please God.
623) Genesis 8:21. Every inclination of his heart is evil from
childhood.
137. We need God’s threat to punish sinners because our
sinful nature opposes God’s will and is inclined to do
only evil.
138. What should God’s threat to punish sinners lead us
to do?
624) Psalm 119:120. My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in
awe of your laws.
625) Psalm 119:80. May my heart be blameless toward your
decrees, that I may not be put to shame.
138. God’s threat to punish sinners should lead us to fear
God’s anger and not disobey what he commands.
139. What does God promise to those who love him and
keep his commandments?
123
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
626) Deuteronomy 7:9. Know therefore that the LORD your God is
God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to
a thousand generations of those who love him and keep
his commands.
627) Psalm 103:11. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so
great is his love for those who fear him.
628) Luke 1:50. His mercy extends to those who fear him.
629) Genesis 22:1-18. (Note especially verses 16-18. God promises
blessings to obedient Abraham.)
630) Matthew 5:3-10. (God promises many blessings to those who
love and obey his commands.)
139. God promises grace and every blessing to those who
love him and keep his commandments.
140. What does God want to impress on us with his
promise to bless those who love him and keep his
commandments?
631) Deuteronomy 5:9,10. I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God
. . . showing love to a thousand generations of those who love
me and keep my commandments.
632) 1 John 2:5. If anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made
complete in him.
633) James 1:25. The man who looks intently into the perfect law
that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting
what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what
he does.
634) Deuteronomy 5:29. Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to
fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go
well with them and their children forever!
140. By this promise God wants to impress on us that he is
a jealous God, that is, he is serious about wanting us to
keep every one of his commandments.
141. How does God’s promise to bless our obedience
also reveal his grace to us?
635) Romans 11:35. Who has ever given to God, that God should
repay him?
636) Luke 17:10. So you also, when you have done everything you
were told to do, should say, “We are unworthy servants; we
have only done our duty.”
124
JEALOUS
GOD
Threat
Anger
and
Trouble
Death
and
Hell
FEAR
AND
NOT DISOBEY
Promise
Mercy
Every
Blessing
Grace
LOVE AND TRUST
AND
GLADLY OBEY
OBEY EVERY ONE
OF GOD’S COMMANDS
125
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
141. Since it is our duty to obey God’s commandments,
his promise to bless our obedience is really an undeserved gift.
142. What should God’s gracious promise lead us to do?
637) Psalm 119:58-60. I have sought your face with all my heart; be
gracious to me according to your promise. I have considered
my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
638) Deuteronomy 10:12. What does the LORD your God ask of you
but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love
him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with
all your soul?
142. God’s gracious promise should lead us to love and
trust in him and gladly obey what he commands.
143. In summary, then, what is the Lord our God urging us to do by the combination of his threat and
his promise?
639) Deuteronomy 11:26-28,32. See, I am setting before you today a
blessing and a curse—the blessing if you obey the commands of
the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you
disobey the commands of the LORD your God. . . . be sure that
you obey all the decrees and laws I am setting before you today.
143. By the combination of his threat and his promise, God
is urging us to obey every one of his commandments.
144. What, however, must we all confess in spite of
God’s threat and promise?
640) Isaiah 64:6. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and
all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.
641) Romans 3:23. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
642) Psalm 143:2. [O LORD], do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.
643) Luke 18:13. God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
144. In spite of God’s threat and promise, we must all confess that we are sinners who have fallen far short of the
perfection which God demands.
126
The Creed
THE GOSPEL
The Differences between Law and Gospel
145. Why is the gospel so comforting to us sinners, who
stand condemned by God’s law?
644) Luke 2:8-12. (The angel brought good news of great joy at the
birth of the Savior.)
645) Romans 1:16. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
646) John 3:16. God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life.
145. The gospel is so comforting to us because it tells us
that God in his love for us sinners sent Jesus to save us.
146. In what ways is the gospel different from the law?
647) Romans 2:14,15. When Gentiles, who do not have the law, do
by nature things required by the law . . . they show that the
requirements of the law are written on their hearts.
648) 1 Corinthians 2:9,10. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no
mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love
him”—but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
649) 2 Timothy 3:15. From infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
146a. The law is written in our hearts and in the Bible (see
Question 18), but the gospel is revealed to us only in
the Bible.
650) Galatians 3:12. The law is not based on faith; on the contrary,
“The man who does these things will live by them.”
651) John 3:16. God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life.
128
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LAW AND GOSPEL
652) 1 John 4:10. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he
loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
146b. The law teaches us what we are to do and not to do
(see Question 14), but the gospel teaches us what God
has done to save us.
653) Galatians 3:8,10. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify
the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to
Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” All who
rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written:
“Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything
written in the Book of the Law.”
654) John 3:16. God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life.
655) Colossians 2:13,14. When you were dead in your sins and in
the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive
with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the
written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that
stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
146c. The law teaches us about sin and God’s punishment of
sin (see Question 15), but the gospel teaches us about
our Savior from sin and God’s gift of eternal life.
147. How does the gospel change our attitude toward
obeying the law?
656) Romans 3:28. A man is justified by faith apart from observing
the law.
657) Colossians 3:17. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him.
658) Romans 12:1. In view of God’s mercy . . . offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
659) 2 Corinthians 5:14,15. Christ’s love compels us. . . . he died for
all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but
for him who died for them and was raised again.
147. The gospel leads us to obey the law out of thanks to
God for our completed salvation instead of obeying it
to try to save ourselves.
129
Differences
between
LAW
GOSPEL
WRITTEN IN HEART
AND BIBLE
WRITTEN IN BIBLE
ONLY
DO! AND DON’T DO!
DONE BY CHRIST!
DESERVE ETERNAL
DEATH
GIFT OF ETERNAL
LIFE
TELLS US WE HAVE
TO DO GOD’S WILL
MAKES US WANT
TO DO GOD’S WILL
130
THE CREEDS
The Creeds
A creed is a statement of what a person or a group of people
believes and teaches. The creed that we will be studying is
called the Apostles’ Creed because it is a brief statement of the
gospel truths which were taught by the apostles.
The Apostles’ Creed developed in the early Christian
church because people felt a need to have a brief summary of
what they believed and taught as Christians. The wording of
the Apostles’ Creed developed gradually, but it soon was used
wherever the Christian church had spread. Christians used it
to tell others what they believed and also to confess their faith
with one another when they met for worship. The Apostles’
Creed also was used in the early church to teach children the
basic gospel truths of the Bible.
The gospel is summarized by the Apostles’ Creed in three
parts because the true God is three persons: Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit. Each part of the Apostles’ Creed is called an
article, and each article tells us what one of the divine persons
has done and is still doing to bless us and to save us. Thus the
gospel message of the Apostles’ Creed is the good news that
our God has made us, that he has redeemed us, and that he
sanctifies us.
There also are two other Christian creeds that are similar
to the Apostles’ Creed. They are the Nicene Creed (see page
15) and the Athanasian Creed. When some false doctrines
about God arose in the early Christian church, these two
creeds were written to confess the Bible truth about God and
to reject the errors. We will not be studying either of these
two creeds, but they are also good to know because we use
them at times in our worship services to confess our faith.
The Nature and Characteristics of God
148. Why do we refer to God with the word “triune”?
660) Matthew 3:16,17. (God reveals himself as three persons at
Jesus’ baptism.)
131
THE GOSPEL
661) John 15:26. When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to
you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the
Father, he will testify about me.
662) Matthew 28:19. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.
663) Genesis 1:26. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image,
in our likeness.”
664) 2 Corinthians 13:14. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be
with you all.
665) Deuteronomy 6:4. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD
is one.
666) John 10:30. I and the Father are one.
667) 1 Corinthians 8:4. There is no God but one.
148. We refer to God as triune because he reveals himself
as three persons yet one God. (Trinity)
149. Why do we believe that God is triune even though
this truth is impossible to understand or explain?
668) Numbers 23:19. God is not a man, that he should lie.
669) John 17:17. Your word is truth.
670) John 16:13. When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide
you into all truth.
149. We believe that God is triune because God reveals this
truth to us in his Word.
150. What does God reveal to us in his Word about his
characteristics?
671) Psalm 42:2. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
672) John 4:24. God is spirit.
673) Luke 24:39. (Jesus proved to his disciples that he was not a
spirit because he had flesh and bones.)
150a. In his Word God reveals that he is a spirit, that is, a living being without flesh and bones.
674) Deuteronomy 33:27. The eternal God is your refuge, and
underneath are the everlasting arms.
132
GOD
is
TRIUNE
is not
Father
Son
is
is
God
no
t
is n
ot
is
is
MYSTERY
Spirit
and a
SPIRIT
A REAL PERSON
WITHOUT A BODY
133
THE GOSPEL
675) Genesis 17:1. I am God Almighty.
676) John 21:17. Lord, you know all things.
677) Jeremiah 23:24. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the
LORD.
150b. In his Word God reveals that he is eternal, almighty
(omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient), and present
everywhere (omnipresent).
678) Leviticus 19:2. I, the LORD your God, am holy.
679) Deuteronomy 32:4. A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.
680) 2 Timothy 2:13. If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for
he cannot disown himself.
681) Psalm 145:9. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on
all he has made.
682) Exodus 34:6,7. The LORD, the compassionate and gracious
God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion
and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished.
150c. In his Word God reveals that he is holy, just, faithful,
good, compassionate, gracious, loving, and forgiving.
134
THE FIRST ARTICLE
(Creation)
I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of
heaven and earth.
What does this mean?
I believe that God created me and all that
exists, that he gave me my body and soul, eyes,
ears, and all my members, my mind and all
my abilities.
And I believe that God still preserves me by
richly and daily providing clothing and shoes,
food and drink, property and home, spouse
and children, land, cattle, and all I own, and
all I need to keep my body and life. God also
preserves me by defending me against all danger, guarding and protecting me from all evil.
All this God does only because he is my good
and merciful Father in heaven, and not
because I have earned or deserved it. For all
this I ought to thank and praise, to serve and
obey him.
This is most certainly true.
Faith
151. What does it mean when a Christian says, “I
believe in God”?
683) Romans 10:14. How can they believe in the one of whom they
have not heard?
684) Romans 10:17. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the
message is heard through the word of Christ.
135
FIRST ARTICLE
685) John 17:3. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
686) 1 Thessalonians 2:13. You accepted it not as the word of men,
but as it actually is, the word of God.
151a. When a Christian says, “I believe in God,” it means he
has learned to know the true God and accepts the Bible
as God’s Word.
687) Psalm 31:14. But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my
God.”
688) Matthew 8:5-13. (Jesus called the centurion’s trust in him a
great faith.)
689) Matthew 15:21-28. (Jesus called the Canaanite woman’s trust
in him a great faith.)
690) 1 Samuel 17, especially verses 37 and 45-47. (David put his
trust in the Lord.)
691) Romans 4:20,21. [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief
regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith
and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had
power to do what he had promised.
692) John 20:24-29. (Jesus rebuked Thomas for insisting that he had
to see before he would believe.)
693) Hebrews 11:1. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
694) 2 Timothy 1:12. I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for
that day.
151b. When a Christian says, “I believe in God,” it means he
trusts in God and is certain that all of God’s promises
will be fulfilled.
152. Why do we as believers call the first person of the
triune God “the Father”?
695) Malachi 2:10. Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us?
152a. As believers we call the first person of the triune God
“the Father” because he created us.
136
DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN
FAITH
KNOW
TRUE GOD
UNBELIEF
WRITTEN
IN BIBLE
NOT
KNOW
ONLY
TRUE
GOD
DONE BY CHRIST!
ACCEPT
NOT ACCEPT
BIBLE = GOD’S WORD
BIBLE = GOD’S WORD
GIFT OF ETERNAL
LIFE
TRUST
GOD AND
ALL HIS PROMISES
NOT
TRUST
MAKES US WANT
ORWILL
TO GOD
GOD’S
HIS PROMISES
137
FIRST ARTICLE
696) John 20:17. I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my
God and your God.
697) Galatians 4:4,5. When the time had fully come, God sent his
Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under
law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
698) Galatians 3:26. You are all sons of God through faith in
Christ Jesus.
152b. As believers we call the first person of the triune God
“the Father” because he is the Father of our Lord Jesus
and also our Father through faith in Jesus.
Creation
153. Why do we confess that God the Father is the
“almighty, maker of heaven and earth”?
699) Genesis 1:1–2:3. (God created heaven and earth out of nothing.)
700) Exodus 20:11. In six days the LORD made the heavens and the
earth, the sea, and all that is in them.
701) Psalm 33:6,9. By the word of the LORD were the heavens
made. . . . he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it
stood firm.
702) Psalm 124:8. Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker
of heaven and earth.
153. We confess this because the Bible teaches that God the
Father made all things in six days out of nothing by his
almighty word.
154. What does the Bible teach us about the origin of
mankind?
703) Genesis 1:26-31. (God made man and woman on the sixth day.)
704) Genesis 1:27. God created man in his own image, in the image
of God he created him; male and female he created them.
705) Genesis 1:28. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful
and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over
the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living
creature that moves on the ground.”
706) Genesis 2:7. The LORD God formed the man from the dust of
the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and
the man became a living being.
138
CREATION
707) Isaiah 45:12. It is I who made the earth and created mankind
upon it.
708) Mark 10:6. At the beginning of creation God made them male
and female.
154. The Bible teaches us that on the sixth day God made
man and woman in his own image as special creatures
to rule over everything God had created.
155. What does the Bible mean when it says that God
created man and woman “in his own image”?
709) Ephesians 4:24. Put on the new self, created to be like God in
true righteousness and holiness.
710) Colossians 3:10. Put on the new self, which is being renewed
in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
155. When the Bible says that God created man and woman
“in his own image,” it means that they were created
holy and with the knowledge of God’s holy will.
156. Why don’t we accept as fact any man-made theories about the origin of the world and of man?
711) Job 38,39. (Note especially 38:4. No man was present to witness the origin of all things.)
712) 2 Peter 3:5,6. They deliberately forget that long ago by God’s
word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of
water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time
was deluged and destroyed.
713) 1 Timothy 6:20,21. Turn away from godless chatter and the
opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some
have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.
714) Hebrews 11:3. By faith we understand that the universe was
formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made
out of what was visible.
156. We do not accept these man-made theories as fact
because they are attempts by men to explain what we
can know only by faith.
157. How did God the Father show his goodness in my
creation?
139
FIRST ARTICLE
715) Job 31:15. Did not he who made me in the womb make them?
Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?
716) Job 10:11,12. [Did you not] clothe me with skin and flesh and
knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life and
showed me kindness.
717) Matthew 10:28. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul.
718) Ecclesiastes 12:7. The dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
719) Job 38:36. Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave
understanding to the mind?
720) Exodus 4:11. Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf
or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I,
the LORD?
721) 1 Corinthians 12:12,14-26. (God gave all the parts of the body
an ability with which each part could help the whole body.)
722) Psalm 139:14. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
157. God the Father showed his goodness in my creation by
giving me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my
members, my mind and all my abilities.
Preservation
158. How does my heavenly Father show his goodness in
my preservation?
723) Psalm 36:6,7. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How
priceless is your unfailing love!
724) Matthew 6:25-34. (God provides our daily food and clothing.)
725) Psalm 145:15,16. The eyes of all look to you, and you give
them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
726) 1 Peter 5:7. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for
you.
158. My heavenly Father shows his goodness in my preservation by providing all that I need to keep my body
and life.
140
DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN
CREATION EVOLUTION
God’s eyewitness
account
Man’s theory
Six days
Millions of years
Out of nothing
Primordial cells
By God’s word
An uninterrupted
chance process
Man a special
creature
Man the most highly
developed animal
Responsible
to God
Master of his
own fate
141
FIRST ARTICLE
159. How does my heavenly Father preserve me?
727) Psalm 104:14. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants
for man to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth.
728) Genesis 8:22. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will
never cease.
729) Genesis 3:17-19. (Man has to work hard to get the food that
the ground is able to produce.)
730) Genesis 9:3. Everything that lives and moves will be food
for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you
everything.
159a. My heavenly Father usually preserves me by natural
means.
731) Exodus 16:1–17:7. (God provided food and water for Israel
in the wilderness by miracles.)
732) 1 Kings 17:1-16. (God provided for Elijah through miracles.)
733) John 6:3-13. (Jesus fed 5,000 by a miracle.)
734) Matthew 19:26. With God all things are possible.
159b. My heavenly Father can also preserve me by miracles.
160. How well does my heavenly Father provide for my
bodily needs?
735) Psalm 37:25. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never
seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
736) Acts 14:17. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from
heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with
plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
737) 2 Corinthians 9:8. God is able to make all grace abound to
you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work.
738) Luke 11:3. Give us each day our daily bread.
160. My heavenly Father provides for my bodily needs
richly and daily.
142
GOD’S
PROVIDENCE
PRESERVATION
by
natural
means
by
miracles
RICHLY
and
DAILY
PROTECTION
by
keeping
evil
away
by
making
evil
serve
my
good
THROUGH THOUSANDS
of
SUPERHUMAN
ANGELS
143
FIRST ARTICLE
Protection
161. In what ways does my heavenly Father protect me?
739) Genesis 19:1-29. (Through Abraham God rescued Lot from the
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.)
740) Exodus 2:1-10. (God used Moses’ parents to guard the baby
Moses from evil.)
741) Exodus 14. (God provided a way of escape for Israel through
the Red Sea.)
742) Daniel 6:16-23. (God protected Daniel in the lions’ den.)
743) Psalm 91:9,10. If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall
you, no disaster will come near your tent.
744) Psalm 50:15. Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver
you, and you will honor me.
161a. My heavenly Father protects me by keeping evil from
me or by delivering me from its harm.
745) Genesis 50:20. You intended to harm me, but God intended it
for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of
many lives.
746) Romans 8:28. We know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him.
747) Hebrews 12:10. God disciplines us for our good, that we may
share in his holiness.
161b. My heavenly Father protects me by making everything in my life serve for my good.
162. Who are the special creatures my heavenly Father
sends to protect me?
748) Psalm 91:10,11. No harm will befall you, no disaster will come
near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
749) Hebrews 1:14. Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to
serve those who will inherit salvation?
750) Daniel 6:16-23. (Note especially verse 22. God used his angel
to protect Daniel in the lions’ den.)
751) Matthew 2:13-21. (God used an angel to tell Joseph to flee
from Herod’s slaughter.)
144
MY THANKS
752) Acts 12:5-11. (An angel delivered Peter from prison.)
162. The special creatures my heavenly Father sends to
protect me are his angels.
163. Why is it comforting to know that God’s angels
protect me?
753) Revelation 5:11. I looked and heard the voice of many angels,
numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times
ten thousand.
754) Psalm 103:20. Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty
ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
755) 2 Peter 2:10,11. These men are not afraid to slander celestial
beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more
powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations.
756) Psalm 91:11. He will command his angels concerning you to
guard you in all your ways.
757) Hebrews 1:14. Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to
serve those who will inherit salvation?
163. It is comforting to know that God’s angels protect me
because they are a very large number of powerful spirits who constantly watch over me.
My Thanks
164. Why does my heavenly Father preserve and protect me?
758) Psalm 118:1. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love
endures forever.
759) Romans 9:16. It does not . . . depend on man’s desire or effort,
but on God’s mercy.
760) Romans 8:32. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him
up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously
give us all things?
761) Genesis 32:10. I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant.
762) Romans 11:35. Who has ever given to God, that God should
repay him?
145
FIRST ARTICLE
164. My heavenly Father preserves and protects me
because he is good and merciful, not because I have
earned or deserved it.
165. How does my heavenly Father want me to show
that I appreciate his goodness and mercy to me?
763) Psalm 106:1. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love
endures forever.
764) Psalm 103:1,2. Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost
being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and
forget not all his benefits.
765) 1 Samuel 12:24. Be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has
done for you.
766) Deuteronomy 10:12. What does the LORD your God ask of you
but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love
him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with
all your soul?
767) 1 Corinthians 10:31. Whether you eat or drink or whatever you
do, do it all for the glory of God.
165. My heavenly Father wants me to show that I appreciate his goodness and mercy by thanking and praising,
serving and obeying him.
The Ruin of God’s Creation
166. How was God’s creation ruined?
768) Genesis 3:1-19. (Adam and Eve fell into sin and brought death
upon themselves.)
769) Romans 5:12. Sin entered the world through one man, and
death through sin.
770) Romans 8:22. We know that the whole creation has been
groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present
time.
166. God’s creation was ruined when sin and death entered
the world by Adam and Eve’s sin. (the fall)
146
God’s goodness
and mercy for
Jesus’ sake
Not my work
or merit
GOD’S
PROVIDENCE
leads
me to
THANK
(not
forget)
PRAISE
(to
others)
SERVE
(out of
love)
OBEY
(all he
commands)
GIVE GLORY
TO HIM
ALL MY LIFE
147
FIRST ARTICLE
167. Who tempted and led Adam and Eve into sin?
771) Genesis 3:1-6. (The devil spoke through the serpent to tempt
Eve.)
772) 1 John 3:8. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because
the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
773) Revelation 12:9. The great dragon was hurled down—that
ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole
world astray.
167. The devil tempted and led Adam and Eve into sin.
168. Who is the devil?
774) 2 Peter 2:4. God did not spare angels when they sinned, but
sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be
held for judgment.
775) Jude 6. The angels who did not keep their positions of authority
but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness,
bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.
776) Matthew 25:41. Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the
eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
168. The devil is the leader of the angels who sinned and
were condemned to the eternal fire of hell.
169. Why did the devil ruin God’s creation?
777) Matthew 13:36-43. (Jesus describes the devil as the enemy of
God’s work.)
778) John 8:44. [The devil] was a murderer from the beginning, not
holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies,
he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of
lies.
779) 1 Peter 5:8. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring
lion looking for someone to devour.
780) Revelation 12:12. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the
devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he
knows that his time is short.
781) 2 Timothy 2:25,26. Those who oppose him he must gently
instruct, in the hope . . . that they will come to their senses and
escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive
to do his will.
148
DEVIL
(AND HIS ANGELS)
Rebelled
Cast out
Condemned
LED ADAM AND EVE INTO SIN
(THE FALL)
Ruined God’s
creation by
sin and death
Wants all men
to share hell
with him
GOD SENDS
THE
SAVIOR
149
FIRST ARTICLE
169. The devil ruined God’s creation because he is an
enemy of God who opposes the truth and wants to trap
all people into sharing hell with him.
170. Why didn’t God destroy the ruined world and start
over again?
782) Lamentations 3:22. Because of the LORD’s great love we are
not consumed.
783) Ezekiel 33:11. As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD,
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that
they turn from their ways and live.
784) Matthew 25:34. Take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared
for you since the creation of the world.
785) 1 John 3:8. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy
the devil’s work.
786) 2 Timothy 1:9. [God] saved us . . . not because of anything we
have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This
grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
170. God didn’t destroy the ruined world because in his
gracious love he chose to send his Son to save the
world from the results of Satan’s work.
171. What, then, has God my heavenly Father also done
for me in his goodness and mercy besides creating,
preserving, and protecting me?
787) Genesis 3:15. I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.
788) 2 Timothy 1:9,10. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus
before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed
through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has
destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light
through the gospel.
789) John 3:16,17. God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world
to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
171. God, my heavenly Father, in his goodness and mercy
has sent his one and only Son to save me.
150
THE SECOND ARTICLE
(Redemption)
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our
Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was
buried. He descended into hell. The third day
he rose again from the dead. He ascended
into heaven and is seated at the right hand of
God the Father almighty. From there he will
come to judge the living and the dead.
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true
man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord.
He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned
creature, purchased and won me from all
sins, from death, and from the power of the
devil, not with gold or silver but with his
holy, precious blood and with his innocent
suffering and death.
All this he did that I should be his own, and
live under him in his kingdom, and serve him
in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and
blessedness, just as he has risen from death
and lives and rules eternally.
This is most certainly true.
151
SECOND ARTICLE
Christ’s Person
172. Why do I believe that Jesus Christ is true God?
790) 1 John 5:20. We are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus
Christ. His is the true God and eternal life.
791) Romans 9:5. Christ . . . is God over all, forever praised!
792) Matthew 1:23. “The virgin will be with child and will give
birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which
means “God with us.”
793) Luke 2:11. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born
to you; he is Christ the Lord.
794) 2 Peter 1:17. He received honor and glory from God the Father
when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying,
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
795) John 3:16. God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son.
796) John 20:28. Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
797) Matthew 16:16. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”
172a. I believe that Jesus is true God because the Bible calls
him God. (divine names)
798) John 1:2. He was with God in the beginning.
799) Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today
and forever.
800) Matthew 28:20. Surely I am with you always.
801) Matthew 28:18. All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me.
802) John 21:17. Lord, you know all things.
172b. I believe that Jesus is true God because he has characteristics which only God has. (divine attributes)
803) John 1:3. Through him all things were made.
804) Hebrews 1:3. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the
exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his
powerful word.
805) John 2:1-11. (Jesus changed water into wine.)
806) Luke 5:17-26. (Jesus healed the paralytic.)
152
CHRIST’S PERSON
807)
808)
809)
810)
811)
Matthew 8:23-27. (Jesus calmed the furious storm.)
Mark 5:1-20. (Jesus had power over devils.)
John 11:38-44. (Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.)
Matthew 28:6,7. (Jesus himself rose from the dead.)
Romans 1:4. [Jesus] was declared with power to be the Son of
God by his resurrection from the dead.
812) Matthew 9:6. The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.
813) John 5:22. The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all
judgment to the Son.
172c. I believe that Jesus is true God because he does things
which only God can do. (divine works)
814) John 5:22,23. The Father . . . has entrusted all judgment to the
Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.
He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who
sent him.
172d. I believe that Jesus is true God because the Bible tells
me to honor him as God. (divine honor)
173. Why do I believe that Jesus Christ is true man?
815) 1 Timothy 2:5. There is one God and one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
816) Romans 1:3. His Son . . . as to his human nature was a descendant of David.
817) Acts 17:31. [God] has set a day when he will judge the world
with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof
of this to all men by raising him from the dead.
818) Hebrews 2:14. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too
shared in their humanity.
819) Matthew 26:2. As you know, the Passover is two days away—
and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.
173a. I believe that Jesus is true man because the Bible calls
him man.
820) Galatians 4:4. God sent his Son, born of a woman.
821) Luke 2:12. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in
a manger.
153
JESUS’
PERSON
TRUE MAN
TRUE GOD
— called man
— human body
and soul
— human actions
— divine names
— divine attributes
— divine works
— divine glory
combined in one person
by the
VIRGIN BIRTH
so he could
be under law
keep law perfectly
die
ransom all people
SAVIOR
154
CHRIST’S PERSON
822) Luke 2:40. The child grew and became strong.
823) Luke 24:39. Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself!
Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as
you see I have.
824) Matthew 26:38. My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the
point of death.
173b. I believe that Jesus is true man because he has a human
body and soul.
825) Matthew 4:2. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was
hungry.
826) Mark 4:38. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.
827) John 11:35. Jesus wept.
828) John 19:28. Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
829) Psalm 22:1,2,14-17,24. (Jesus suffered.)
830) Mark 15:37,44-46. (Jesus died and his body was given to
Joseph of Arimathea for burial.)
173c. I believe that Jesus is true man because he did things
which are normal actions for human beings.
174. How did God’s Son become true man?
831) Luke 1:26-38. (The angel Gabriel told the virgin Mary that the
child she would give birth to is God’s Son. Note especially
verse 35, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power
of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be
born will be called the Son of God.”)
832) Matthew 1:20. Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take
Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is
from the Holy Spirit.
833) Matthew 1:22,23. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord
had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son.”
834) Galatians 4:4. When the time had fully come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman.
174. God’s Son became true man when he was conceived
by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. (the
miracle of the virgin birth, the incarnation)
155
SECOND ARTICLE
175. What, then, do I believe about Jesus’ person?
835) Colossians 2:9. In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in
bodily form.
836) 1 Timothy 2:5. There is one God and one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
175. I believe that Jesus is true man and true God in one
person.
176. Why was it necessary that Jesus be both true man
and true God in one person?
837) Galatians 4:4,5. God sent his Son, born of a woman, born
under law, to redeem those under law.
838) Romans 3:23. All have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God.
839) John 8:46. Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?
840) Hebrews 4:15. We have one who has been tempted in every
way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
841) Romans 5:19. Through the obedience of the one man the many
will be made righteous.
176a. It was necessary that Jesus be both true man and true
God in one person so that he could be under God’s law
and also keep it perfectly for me. (active obedience)
842) Hebrews 2:14. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too
shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy
him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.
843) Psalm 49:7,8. No man can redeem the life of another or give to
God a ransom for him—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough.
844) John 1:29. Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of
the world!
845) Mark 10:45. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
176b. It was necessary that Jesus be both true man and true
God in one person so that he could die and also ransom me by his death. (passive obedience)
156
CHRIST’S OFFICE
Christ’s Office
177. To what office did God anoint Christ?
846) Acts 10:38. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy
Spirit and power.
847) Deuteronomy 18:15. The LORD your God will raise up for you
a prophet like me from among your own brothers.
848) Hebrews 3:1. Fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high
priest whom we confess.
849) John 18:37. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am
a king.”
177. God anointed Christ to the office of prophet, high
priest, and king. (“Christ” means “The Anointed.”)
178. What were the Old Testament prophets anointed
to do?
850) 1 Kings 19:16. Anoint Elisha . . . to succeed you as prophet.
851) Jeremiah 1:7. You must go to everyone I send you to and say
whatever I command you.
852) Acts 3:18. God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the
prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.
178. The Old Testament prophets were anointed to tell people God’s Word, especially the good news about the
coming Savior.
179. What did Christ do as the Prophet while he was on
earth?
853) Isaiah 61:1. The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the
poor.
854) Luke 8:1. Jesus traveled about from one town and village to
another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.
855) Matthew 17:5. This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am
well pleased. Listen to him!
856) John 6:68. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life.
179. As the Prophet, Christ preached God’s Word, especially the good news of eternal life.
157
SECOND ARTICLE
180. What were the Old Testament high priests anointed
to do?
857) Exodus 30:30. Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them
so they may serve me as priests.
858) Hebrews 5:1. Every high priest is selected from among men
and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to
offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
859) Leviticus 16. (The high priest entered God’s presence with
blood to remind Israel that the promised Savior’s blood would
be shed for their sins. See also Hebrews 10:4.)
860) Hebrews 9:7. Only the high priest entered the inner room, and
that only once a year, and never without blood, which he
offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed
in ignorance.
180. The Old Testament high priests were anointed to represent the people before God and to offer sacrifices for
the people’s sins.
181. What did Christ do as the High Priest while he was
on earth?
861) Hebrews 7:26,27. Such a high priest meets our need—one who
is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above
the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to
offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for
the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all
when he offered himself.
862) Hebrews 9:24,26. Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary
that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself,
now to appear for us in God’s presence. . . . he has appeared
once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the
sacrifice of himself.
863) Ephesians 5:2. Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a
fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
864) John 1:29. Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of
the world!
865) 1 John 2:2. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not
only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
181. As the High Priest, Christ represented the whole world
before God and sacrificed himself for the sins of all.
(vicarious atonement)
158
CHRIST’S
OFFICE
O.T.
ANOINTED
BY GOD
— Teach God’s Word
(good news)
PROPHET
CHRIST
O.T.
— Teach God’s Word
(good news)
— Represent people
— Sacrifice for sin
PRIEST
CHRIST
O.T.
— Represent world
— Sacrifice self
for sin of all
— Fight for people
— Rule people
KING
CHRIST
— Win victory
— Rule in hearts
159
SECOND ARTICLE
182. What were the Old Testament kings anointed
to do?
866) 1 Samuel 16:12,13. (Samuel anointed David to be king.)
867) 1 Samuel 9:17. When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD
said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”
868) 1 Samuel 8:20. We will be like all the other nations, with a king
to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.
182. The Old Testament kings were anointed to rule the
people and to protect them.
183. What did Christ do as the King while he was on
earth?
869) 1 Corinthians 15:56,57. The sting of death is sin, and the
power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
870) Hebrews 2:14. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too
shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy
him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.
871) Romans 14:9. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to
life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
872) John 18:36,37. My kingdom is not of this world. . . . I am a
king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into
the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth
listens to me.
873) Luke 17:21. The kingdom of God is within you.
183. As the King, Christ won the victory over sin, death,
and the devil so that he might rule in the hearts of
believers by his Word.
Christ’s Work
184. Why are we all lost and condemned creatures by
nature?
874) Romans 7:18. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in
my sinful nature.
875) Romans 3:22,23. There is no difference, for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God.
876) Ephesians 2:1. You were dead in your transgressions and sins.
160
CHRIST’S WORK
877) John 8:34. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
878) Romans 5:12. Death came to all men, because all sinned.
879) 1 John 3:8. He who does what is sinful is of the devil.
184. We are all lost and condemned creatures because by
nature we are slaves of sin, death, and the devil.
185. What is Christ’s work called by which he ransomed us from the slavery of sin, death, and
the devil?
880) Hebrews 9:15. He has died as a ransom to set them free from
the sins committed under the first covenant.
881) Hebrews 9:12. He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by
his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
185. Christ’s work, by which he ransomed us from this
slavery, is called redemption.
186. What ransom price did God require Christ to pay
in order to redeem us from this slavery?
882) Leviticus 17:10-14. (God required blood to pay for sin because
the life of a body is its blood.)
883) Revelation 1:5,6. To him who loves us and has freed us from
our sins by his blood . . . be glory and power for ever and ever!
884) Ephesians 1:7. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.
885) Isaiah 53:5. He was pierced for our transgression, he was
crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us
peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
886) Matthew 20:28. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but
to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
186. God required Christ to pay the ransom price of his
blood and his suffering and death in order to redeem
us from this slavery.
187. Why do we call Christ’s blood holy?
887) 1 John 1:7. The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
888) 1 Peter 1:18,19. You know that it was not with perishable things
such as silver or gold that you were redeemed . . . but with the
precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
161
SECOND ARTICLE
187. We call Christ’s blood holy because it is the blood of
God’s perfect Son.
188. Why do we call Christ’s blood precious?
889) Psalm 49:7,8. No man can redeem the life of another or give to
God a ransom for him—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough.
890) Matthew 16:26. What good will it be for a man if he gains the
whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in
exchange for his soul?
891) 1 Peter 1:18,19. You know that it was not with perishable
things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed . . . but
with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish
or defect.
188. We call Christ’s blood precious because it paid the
ransom price for us that all the world’s gold and silver
could never have paid.
189. Why do we call Christ’s suffering and death
innocent?
892) 2 Corinthians 5:21. God made him who had no sin to be sin for
us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
893) Hebrews 4:15. We have one who has been tempted in every
way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
894) Hebrews 7:26,27. Such a high priest meets our need—one who
is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above
the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to
offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for
the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all
when he offered himself.
895) Isaiah 53:5,6. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was
crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us
peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all,
like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own
way; and the LORD laid on him the iniquity of us all.
189. We call Christ’s suffering and death innocent because
Jesus was paying the price for all people’s sins, not his
own. (our substitute)
162
CHRIST’S
WORK
REDEMPTION
(pay ransom to free)
PRICE
RESULT
holy precious blood
(God-man)
SIN = no curse
SIN = or
SIN = condemnation
innocent suffering
and death
(Substitute)
DEATH = no
DEATH = punishment
DEATH = in hell
DEATH = and
DEATH = enter eternal
DEATH = life
DEVIL = power
DEVIL = over his
DEVIL = temptations
DEVIL = and
DEVIL = free from
DEVIL = his accusations
163
SECOND ARTICLE
190. In what sense did Christ’s redemption free me
from the slavery of sin?
896) John 8:34,36. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. So if the Son
sets you free, you will be free indeed.
897) 1 John 1:7. The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
898) Galatians 3:13. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law
by becoming a curse for us.
899) Colossians 2:13. When you were dead in your sins . . . God
made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.
900) Romans 8:1. There is now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus.
901) Psalm 103:10. He does not treat us as our sins deserve.
190. Christ’s redemption freed me from the punishment
that I deserve for all my sins.
191. In what sense did Christ’s redemption free me
from the slavery of death?
902) Matthew 10:28. Be afraid of the One who can destroy both
soul and body in hell.
903) 1 Corinthians 15:54,57. “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” . . . thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ.
904) John 11:25,26. I am the resurrection and the life. He who
believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives
and believes in me will never die.
905) 2 Timothy 1:10. Our Savior, Christ Jesus . . . has destroyed death
and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
191. Christ’s redemption freed me from the punishment of
eternal death in hell.
192. What assurance does Christ’s redemption also give
me about the end of my earthly life?
906) Luke 8:49-56; John 11:11-14. (Jesus spoke of the death of
Jairus’ daughter and of Lazarus as a sleep.)
907) Acts 7:57-60. (Stephen’s death is described as falling asleep.)
908) Acts 13:36. When David had served God’s purpose in his own
generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and
his body decayed.
164
CHRIST’S HUMILIATION
909) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. (Paul assures believers that death is
only a sleep from which Jesus will awaken us to be with him
forever. Note especially verse 14: “We believe that Jesus died
and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus
those who have fallen asleep in him.”)
910) Daniel 12:2. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will
awake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
192. Christ’s redemption assures me that the end of my
earthly life is a sleep from which I will awake to everlasting life.
193. In what sense did Christ’s redemption free me
from the slavery of the devil?
911) Genesis 3:15. I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.
912) 1 John 3:8. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy
the devil’s work.
913) Hebrews 2:14. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too
shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy
him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.
914) James 4:7. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
915) Revelation 12:10,11. The accuser of our brothers, who accuses
them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.
916) Romans 8:34. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who
died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right
hand of God and is also interceding for us.
193. Christ’s redemption freed me from the power of the
devil’s temptations and accusations.
Christ’s Humiliation
194. What do we mean when we speak of Christ’s
humiliation?
917) Philippians 2:6-8. [Christ Jesus], being in very nature God, did
not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but
165
DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN
CHRIST’S
HUMILIATION
EXALTATION
Gave up the full use of
his heavenly
glory
Again took up the
full use of his
heavenly glory
To live in a humble
way on earth
To live in an exalted
way filling heaven
and earth
Done to redeem us
Done to assure us
that we are
redeemed
166
CHRIST’S HUMILIATION
made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance
as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—
even death on the cross!
918) 2 Corinthians 8:9. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became
poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
919) John 18:3-6; Matthew 26:47-56. (Although Jesus had the
power to knock the soldiers down and to call on the help of
many angels, he allowed himself to be arrested.)
194) Christ’s humiliation means that Christ chose not to
make full use of his heavenly power and glory so that
he might live and die in a lowly way.
195. How did Christ humble himself?
920) Matthew 1:18-20. (Christ came to earth in a lowly manner when
he was conceived in the womb of Mary as a human child.)
921) Luke 2:1-14. (Jesus was born as a child of poor parents in
some very lowly circumstances.)
922) Luke 9:58. Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air
have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
923) Mark 15:15. Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released
Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him
over to be crucified.
924) Mark 15:22,24. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). And they crucified him.
925) Mark 15:37. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
926) Mark 15:46. Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the
body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out
of rock.
195. Christ humbled himself by the lowly manner of his
conception; his lowly birth and life; his suffering
under Pontius Pilate; his crucifixion, death, and burial.
196. Why did Christ humble himself?
927) 2 Corinthians 8:9. He became poor, so that you through his
poverty might become rich.
167
SECOND ARTICLE
928) Mark 10:45. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
196. Christ humbled himself to serve as our Redeemer.
Christ’s Exaltation
197. What do we mean when we speak of Christ’s
exaltation?
929) Philippians 2:9. God exalted him to the highest place and gave
him the name that is above every name.
930) John 17:5. Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I
had with you before the world began.
931) Ephesians 4:10. He who descended is the very one who
ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole
universe.
932) Hebrews 2:9. We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than
the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.
197. When we speak of Christ’s exaltation, we mean that as
the God-man he again made full use of his heavenly
power and glory.
198. How was Christ exalted?
933) 1 Peter 3:19. He went and preached to the spirits in prison.
934) Romans 6:4. Christ was raised from the dead through the glory
of the Father.
935) Mark 16:19. After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was
taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
936) Acts 10:42. He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the
living and the dead.
198. Christ was exalted by descending into hell, rising from
the dead, ascending into heaven, sitting at the right
hand of God, and becoming the judge of the living and
the dead.
199. Why did God exalt Christ?
937) Acts 2:32,33,36. God has raised this Jesus to life. . . . Exalted
to the right hand of God, he has . . . poured out what you now
168
CHRIST’S EXALTATION
see and hear. Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has
made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
938) Philippians 2:9-11. God exalted him to the highest place and
gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
939) Acts 5:31. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince
and Savior.
199. God exalted Christ to assure us that he is our Redeemer.
200. Of what does Christ’s descent into hell assure us?
940) 1 Peter 3:19. He went and preached to the spirits in prison.
941) Colossians 2:15. Having disarmed the powers and authorities,
he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by
the cross.
200. Christ’s descent into hell assures us of his victory over
the devil and all the evil angels.
201. Of what does Christ’s resurrection assure us?
942) Romans 1:4. [Jesus] was declared with power to be the Son of
God by his resurrection from the dead.
201a. Christ’s resurrection assures us that he is God’s Son.
943) Romans 4:25. He was delivered over to death for our sins and
was raised to life for our justification.
944) 1 Corinthians 15:17. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is
futile; you are still in your sins.
945) 1 Peter 1:3. In his great mercy he [God] has given us new birth
into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead.
201b. Christ’s resurrection assures us that he is our
Redeemer.
946) John 14:19. Because I live, you also will live.
947) 1 Corinthians 15:22,23. In Christ all will be made alive. But
each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he
comes, those who belong to him.
169
SECOND ARTICLE
948) John 11:25. I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes
in me will live, even though he dies.
201c. Christ’s resurrection assures us that he will raise us
from the dead.
202. Of what does Christ’s ascension assure us?
949) Mark 16:19. After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was
taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
950) Ephesians 4:7-10. (Christ’s ascension as a conquering hero
assures us that he accomplished what God had sent him to do.)
202a. Since Christ returned to heaven as a conquering hero,
his ascension assures us that he is our Redeemer.
951) John 14:2,3. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were
not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a
place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come back and take you to be with me that you also may be
where I am.
202b. Christ’s ascension assures us that there is a place
where we will be with him forever.
203. Of what does Christ’s sitting at the right hand of
God assure us?
952) Ephesians 1:20-22. [God] seated him at his right hand in the
heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and
dominion. . . . And God placed all things under his feet and
appointed him to be head over everything for the church.
953) Matthew 28:18. All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me.
203. Christ’s sitting at the right hand of God assures us that
he rules over all things for the good of his church.
204. How does Christ carry out his office of Prophet,
Priest, and King now while he is at God’s right
hand?
954) Matthew 28:19,20. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
170
Descent
into Hell
(victory march)
Resurrection
(God’s Son,
Savior, raise us)
Ascension
(conquering hero,
place in heaven)
CHRIST’S
EXALTATION
is our
ASSURANCE OF
REDEMPTION
At God’s
Right Hand
(Prophet,
Priest, King)
Judgment
(glorious return,
believer or unbeliever)
171
SECOND ARTICLE
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end
of the age.
955) Mark 16:15. Go into all the world and preach the good news
to all creation.
956) Ephesians 4:10,11. The very one who ascended . . . gave
some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.
204a. Christ carries out his office of Prophet now by sending believers to share his good news with everyone.
957) Hebrews 10:12. When this priest had offered for all time one
sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
958) Romans 8:34. Christ . . . is at the right hand of God and is also
interceding for us.
959) 1 John 2:1. If anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to
the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
204b. Christ carries out his office of High Priest now by
pleading our case before God.
960) 1 Corinthians 15:25. He must reign until he has put all his
enemies under his feet.
961) Romans 8:38,39. I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in
all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
962) 2 Timothy 4:18. The Lord will rescue me from every evil
attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
204c. Christ carries out his office of King now by protecting
us from all our enemies in order to bring us safely to
his heavenly kingdom.
205. Why is Christ’s judgment of the living and the dead
also part of his exaltation?
963) Matthew 25:31,32. When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him.
172
CHRIST’S EXALTATION
964) Acts 17:31. [God] has set a day when he will judge the world
with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof
of this to all men by raising him from the dead.
965) Revelation 1:7. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every
eye will see him, even those who pierced him.
205. Christ’s judgment is also part of his exaltation because
he will appear in his heavenly glory to judge all people.
206. When will Christ come to judge the living and
the dead?
966) Matthew 24:36. No one knows about that day or hour, not even
the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
206. No one knows when Christ will come to judge the living and the dead.
207. When does God want us to be ready for Christ’s
second coming?
967) Matthew 24:42,44. Therefore keep watch, because you do not
know on what day your Lord will come. So you also must be
ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you
do not expect him.
968) Matthew 25:1-13. (Like the five wise virgins, we should
always be ready to meet Christ.)
207. God wants us always to be ready for Christ’s second
coming.
208. On what basis will Christ judge all people?
969) Mark 16:15,16. Go into all the world and preach the good news
to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,
but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
970) John 3:18. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but
whoever does not believe stands condemned already because
he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
971) John 12:48. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and
does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will
condemn him at the last day.
972) Matthew 25:31-46. (Jesus will use the deeds of faith done by
believers as evidence of their faith, and the lack of deeds of
faith as evidence of the unbeliever’s lack of faith.)
173
SECOND ARTICLE
208. Christ will judge all people on the basis of whether
they believed in him and his Word or not.
Belonging to Christ
209. Why did Christ redeem me?
973) 1 Corinthians 6:19,20. You are not your own; you were bought
at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
974) Romans 6:22. Now that you have been set free from sin and
have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
975) Titus 2:14. [Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very
own, eager to do what is good.
976) 2 Corinthians 5:15. He died for all, that those who live should
no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them
and was raised again.
977) Luke 1:68,74,75. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come and has redeemed his people. . . . to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve
him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all
our days.
978) Colossians 1:10,13. And we pray this in order that you may
live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way.
. . . For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and
brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
209. Christ redeemed me so that I might be his own and use
my whole life to serve him in his kingdom.
210. Why is this life of service to my Redeemer one of
righteousness, innocence, and blessedness?
979) Isaiah 61:10. I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in
my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and
arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.
980) Revelation 7:14. They have washed their robes and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb.
210a. My life of service to my Redeemer is one of righteousness because he covers all my sins with the robe
of his righteousness.
174
BELONGING TO CHRIST
981) Luke 19:1-10. (Zacchaeus’ life was changed when he came to
faith in Jesus.)
982) Psalm 26:5-7. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to
sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence and go
about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and
telling of all your wonderful deeds.
983) Titus 2:11-13. For the grace of God that brings salvation has
appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness
and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and
godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed
hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
984) Ephesians 4:24. Put on the new self, created to be like God in
true righteousness and holiness.
210b. My life of service to my Redeemer is one of innocence
because in my new man I hate sin and desire to live a
godly life.
985) John 12:1-8. (Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume to
express her love and thanks.)
986) Psalm 100:2,4,5. Worship the LORD with gladness; . . . give
thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and
his love endures forever.
987) Ephesians 5:2. Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and
gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice
to God.
988) Colossians 3:17. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him.
210c. My life of service to my Redeemer is one of blessedness because I gladly serve him in thankful love.
211. When only will I be able to serve my Redeemer in
perfect and everlasting righteousness, innocence,
and blessedness?
989) Revelation 7:14,15. These are they who have come out of the
great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the
throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple.
175
PURPOSE
of
REDEMPTION
A WHOLE LIFE OF
SERVICE TO
CHRIST
in
RIGHTEOUSNESS
in
INNOCENCE
in
BLESSEDNESS
(covered
by
his holiness)
(hate sin,
do his
will)
(gladly in
faith-born
love)
Imperfectly
now
176
Perfectly
in heaven
FAITH AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
990) Colossians 3:4. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then
you also will appear with him in glory.
991) 2 Peter 3:13. In keeping with his promise we are looking
forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of
righteousness.
992) Revelation 14:4,5. They were purchased from among men and
offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in
their mouths; they are blameless.
993) Psalm 16:11. You will fill me with joy in your presence, with
eternal pleasures at your right hand.
211. I will be able to serve my Redeemer in perfect and
everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness
only when he takes me to be with him in heaven.
212. Why am I sure that I will be with Christ in heaven?
994) Romans 1:4. [Jesus] was declared with power to be the Son of
God by his resurrection from the dead.
995) Job 19:25-27. I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the
end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been
destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns
within me!
996) 1 Corinthians 6:14. By his power God raised the Lord from the
dead, and he will raise us also.
997) Philippians 3:20,21. The Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power
that enables him to bring everything under his control, will
transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
998) Revelation 11:15. The kingdom of the world has become the
kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.
212. I am sure that I will be with Christ in heaven because
he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally.
Faith and the Holy Spirit
213. How does the redemption that Christ won for me
become my own?
177
CHRIST’S
REDEMPTION
becomes
mine by
FAITH
impossible
by
nature
dead
in
sins
178
enemy
of
God
possible
only by
the work
of the
HOLY SPIRIT
FAITH AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
999) Luke 14:15-24. (By the parable of the great banquet, Jesus
teaches that those who do not accept the invitation to the banquet lose all its blessings.)
1000) Acts 16:30,31. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They
replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”
1001) Mark 1:15. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe
the good news!
1002) Romans 10:4. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be
righteousness for everyone who believes.
1003) John 3:16. God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life.
213. The redemption that Christ won for me becomes my
own by faith in Jesus Christ.
214. What is my natural spiritual condition?
1004) Ephesians 2:1. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.
1005) Acts 26:17,18. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and
turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan
to God.
1006) Romans 8:6,7. The mind of sinful man is death . . . , the sinful
mind is hostile to God.
214. By nature I am spiritually dead in sins, spiritually
blind, under the power of Satan, and an enemy of God.
215. What is impossible for me to do because of my natural spiritual condition?
1007) 1 Corinthians 1:18. The message of the cross is foolishness to
those who are perishing.
1008) 1 Corinthians 2:14. The man without the Spirit does not accept
the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they
are spiritually discerned.
1009) Psalm 82:5. [The wicked] know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness.
1010) Matthew 13:14. You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
179
SECOND ARTICLE
1011) Ephesians 4:17,18. You must no longer live as the Gentiles do,
in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their
understanding and separated from the life of God.
1012) John 15:16. You did not choose me, but I chose you.
1013) Psalm 65:3,4. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those you choose and
bring near to live in your courts!
215. My natural spiritual condition makes it impossible for
me by my own thinking or choosing to believe in Jesus
or come to him.
216. How only can I come to believe in Jesus?
1014) Matthew 16:16,17. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you,
Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man,
but by my Father in heaven.”
1015) 1 Corinthians 12:3. No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by
the Holy Spirit.
1016) Romans 5:5. God has poured out his love into our hearts by the
Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
216. I can come to believe in Jesus only by the work of the
Holy Spirit in me.
217. What more, then, has God done in his great love for
me?
1017) Joel 2:28. And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
1018) John 16:7,13. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come
to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he, the Spirit
of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.
1019) Acts 2:1-13. (Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on the day of
Pentecost.)
217. God in his love promised and sent the Holy Spirit.
180
THE THIRD ARTICLE
(Sanctification)
I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian church, the communion of saints; the
forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the
body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or
choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or
come to him.
But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified
and kept me in the true faith. In the same way
he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies
the whole Christian church on earth, and
keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true
faith.
In this Christian church he daily and fully
forgives all sins to me and all believers.
On the Last Day he will raise me and all the
dead and give eternal life to me and all
believers in Christ.
This is most certainly true.
181
THIRD ARTICLE
The Holy Spirit Is God
218. Who is the Holy Spirit?
1020) Acts 2:1-21. (The Holy Spirit came with power on Pentecost in
fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy.)
1021) Matthew 28:19. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.
1022) 2 Corinthians 13:14. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be
with you all.
1023) Matthew 3:16,17. (The Trinity was present at Jesus’ baptism.)
218. The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the triune God.
219. Why do I believe that the Holy Spirit is true God?
1024) Acts 5:3,4. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has
so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit . . . ?
You have not lied to men but to God.”
1025) 1 Corinthians 12:6,11. The same God works all of them in all
men. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit.
1026) 1 Corinthians 3:16. Don’t you know that you yourselves are
God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
1027) 2 Corinthians 3:17. Now the Lord is the Spirit.
1028) Matthew 12:28. If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then
the kingdom of God has come upon you.
219a. I believe that the Holy Spirit is true God because the
Bible calls him God. (divine names)
1029) Psalm 139:7,8. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I
flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are
there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
1030) Hebrews 9:14. Christ . . . through the eternal Spirit offered
himself unblemished to God.
1031) 1 Corinthians 2:10,11. The Spirit searches all things, even the
deep things of God. . . . no one knows the thoughts of God
except the Spirit of God.
1032) Psalm 51:11. Do not cast me from your presence or take your
Holy Spirit from me.
182
HOLY SPIRIT
not
the FATHER
not
the SON
THIRD
PERSON
OF
GODHEAD
Divine
Names
Divine
Works
Divine
Attributes
183
THIRD ARTICLE
219b. I believe that the Holy Spirit is true God because
he has characteristics which only God has. (divine
attributes)
1033) Genesis 1:1,2. In the beginning God created the heavens and
the earth. . . . the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
1034) Job 33:4. The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the
Almighty gives me life.
1035) Titus 3:5. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit.
1036) Romans 8:27. The Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
219c. I believe that the Holy Spirit is true God because he
does things which only God can do. (divine works)
Called by the Gospel
220. What is the work of the Holy Spirit called?
1037) 2 Thessalonians 2:13. From the beginning God chose you to be
saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through
belief in the truth.
220. The work of the Holy Spirit is called sanctification.
221. Why do I say that the Holy Spirit sanctifies me
when he brings me to faith in Jesus?
1038) 1 Peter 2:9,11. You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may
declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into
his wonderful light. . . . I urge you, as aliens and strangers in
the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against
your soul.
1039) 1 Corinthians 6:11. You were washed, you were sanctified, you
were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the
Spirit of our God.
1040) 1 Corinthians 1:2. To the church of God in Corinth, to those
sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together
with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
184
CALLED BY THE GOSPEL
1041) 1 Thessalonians 5:23. May God himself, the God of peace,
sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit,
soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
221. I say that the Holy Spirit sanctifies me when he brings
me to faith in Jesus because he calls me out of the
unbelieving world to be holy. (sanctified in the wider
meaning of this word)
222. By what means did the Holy Spirit call me to faith
in Christ?
1042) John 17:17. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
1043) 2 Thessalonians 2:13,14. From the beginning God chose you to
be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through
belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel,
that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1044) Acts 2:38-47. (Believers were added to the church through the
Word, which the apostles taught.)
1045) Acts 8:35-39. (The Ethiopian eunuch heard the gospel and was
baptized.)
1046) Acts 10:44-48. (The Holy Spirit came to all those in Cornelius’
house who heard the Word, and they were baptized.)
1047) Romans 10:17. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the
message is heard through the word of Christ.
1048) 2 Timothy 3:15. From infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
1049) Acts 2:38. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of
you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your
sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
1050) Matthew 26:26-28. (Jesus gives us his body and blood in the
Lord’s Supper to assure us of our forgiveness.)
222. The Holy Spirit called me to faith in Christ by the
gospel in Word and sacraments. (means of grace)
223. How does the Bible picture the miracle the Holy
Spirit works in me when he calls me to faith by
the gospel?
185
SANCTIFICATION
by the
HOLY SPIRIT
CALLED
out of the
unbelieving
world
to be holy
by faith
in Jesus
by the
GOSPEL
in the
SACRAMENTS
in the
WORD
the
MEANS OF
GRACE
186
ENLIGHTENED WITH HIS GIFTS
1051) 1 Peter 2:25. You were like sheep going astray, but now you
have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1052) Acts 11:21. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
1053) Acts 3:19. Repent . . . and turn to God, so that your sins may
be wiped out.
1054) Psalm 51:13. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners
will turn back to you.
1055) Acts 15:3. They told how the Gentiles had been converted.
223a. The Bible pictures the miracle of faith that the Holy
Spirit works in me as turning me from unbelief to faith
in God. (conversion)
1056) John 3:3,6. Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see
the kingdom of God unless he is born again. Flesh gives birth
to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
1057) Titus 3:5. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit.
1058) 1 Peter 1:23. You have been born again, not of perishable
seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring
word of God.
223b. The Bible pictures the miracle of faith that the Holy
Spirit works in me as giving me a second birth. (regeneration, rebirth)
1059) Ephesians 2:4,5. God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with
Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.
1060) Colossians 2:13. When you were dead in your sins and in the
uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive
with Christ.
223c. The Bible pictures the miracle of faith that the Holy
Spirit works in me as raising me from death to life.
(quickening)
Enlightened with His Gifts
224. What do the words “enlightened me with his gifts”
explain about the work of the Holy Spirit?
187
THIRD ARTICLE
1061) John 8:12. [Jesus] said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light
of life.”
1062) Acts 26:17,18. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and
turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan
to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place
among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
1063) 2 Corinthians 4:4,6. The god of this age has blinded the minds
of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of
the glory of Christ. . . . God . . . made his light shine in our
hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Christ.
1064) Luke 10:23. Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
224. These words explain that the Holy Spirit brought me
out of the darkness of unbelief into the light of faith,
so that I now see all the gifts God gives me in Christ.
225. What are some of God’s gifts that the Holy Spirit
enlightened me to see by faith?
1065) Ephesians 1:7. In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s
grace.
1066) Romans 15:13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1067) Romans 5:1. Since we have been justified through faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1068) Isaiah 32:17. The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect
of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
1069) Psalm 71:5. For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.
1070) Romans 8:24,25. Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who
hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do
not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
1071) Titus 2:13. We wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
1072) Isaiah 61:10. I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in
my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and
arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.
188
ENLIGHTENED
by the
HOLY SPIRIT
brought out of
the darkness
of unbelief
brought to the
light of faith
to
SEE
FORGIVENESS
PEACE
COMFORT
JOY
HOPE
God’s gifts
to me
IN CHRIST
189
THIRD ARTICLE
1073) Luke 2:10. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring
you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
1074) Romans 5:2,3. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not
only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings.
1075) Psalm 119:50. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your
promise preserves my life.
1076) 2 Corinthians 1:3,4. Praise be to the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all
comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can
comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves
have received from God.
225. The Holy Spirit enlightened me to see by faith such
wonderful gifts of God as forgiveness, peace, hope,
joy, and comfort.
Sanctified to Do Good Works
226. What change does the Holy Spirit work in me when
he sanctifies me by the gospel?
1077) 2 Corinthians 5:17. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
1078) Ephesians 2:10. We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us
to do.
1079) 1 Thessalonians 4:7. God did not call us to be impure, but to
live a holy life.
1080) Galatians 5:24,25. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we
live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
1081) Psalm 119:104,112. I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path. My heart is set on keeping
your decrees to the very end.
1082) Titus 2:14. [Jesus] gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very
own, eager to do what is good.
1083) Psalm 40:8. I desire to do your will, O my God.
226. When the Holy Spirit sanctifies me by the gospel, he
leads me to hate sin and to be eager to live a holy life
190
SANCTIFICATION
by the
HOLY SPIRIT
leads me
to be eager
to do
GOOD WORKS
EMPOWERED
MOTIVATED
GUIDED
(by Christ
living
in me)
(by my
love and
thanks
for Christ)
(by what
God’s
Word says
is right)
What a
does as a
according to
BELIEVER
THANK YOU
GOD’S WILL
191
THIRD ARTICLE
filled with good works. (sanctified in the narrow
meaning of this word)
227. Why am I able to do good works?
1084) Psalm 51:10. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a
steadfast spirit within me.
1085) Romans 8:5-10. (It is only when the Holy Spirit puts a new
mind in me by faith in Jesus that I seek to do God’s will.)
1086) Psalm 119:32. I run in the path of your commands, for you
have set my heart free.
1087) Hebrews 11:6. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
1088) 2 Corinthians 5:17. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
1089) Ephesians 2:10. We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus to do good works.
1090) John 15:5. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man
remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from
me you can do nothing.
1091) Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer
live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
1092) Philippians 2:13. It is God who works in you to will and to act
according to his good purpose.
227. I am able to do good works because the Holy Spirit
gives me a pure heart in which Christ lives by faith.
228. Why do I gladly do good works?
1093) Galatians 5:6. The only thing that counts is faith expressing
itself through love.
1094) 2 Corinthians 5:14,15. Christ’s love compels us, because we
are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And
he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for
themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
1095) Colossians 3:17. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him.
1096) Titus 2:14. [Jesus] gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very
own, eager to do what is good.
192
SANCTIFIED TO DO GOOD WORKS
228. I gladly do good works to express my love and thanks
to God for all his goodness to me. (Good works are the
fruit of faith.)
229. What is my guideline in doing good works?
1097) Psalm 119:105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for
my path.
1098) Psalm 119:9. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
1099) Luke 11:28. Blessed . . . are those who hear the word of God
and obey it.
1100) Romans 12:2. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then
you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his
good, pleasing and perfect will.
229. My guideline in doing good works is God’s will as it
is written in his Word.
230. What, then, is a good work?
1101) Galatians 2:20. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the
Son of God.
1102) Psalm 119:105. Your word is a lamp to my feet.
1103) Colossians 3:17. Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through him.
1104) Mark 12:41-44. (Jesus praised the poor widow’s offering as an
act of faith and love.)
1105) Mark 14:3-9. (Jesus praised Mary’s anointing of him as a beautiful thing she did in love for her Savior.)
1106) Luke 19:1-10. (When Zacchaeus became a believer, he showed
his love and thanks to Jesus by what he did.)
1107) Genesis 4:3-5; Hebrews 11:4. (Although Cain and Abel both
offered a sacrifice, only Abel’s was acceptable to God.)
230. A good work is whatever a believer does according to
God’s Word out of love and thanks for all of God’s
goodness.
231. Why does God consider such works done by a
believer as good?
193
THIRD ARTICLE
1108) Isaiah 64:6. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and
all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.
1109) Romans 9:16. It does not . . . depend on man’s desire or effort,
but on God’s mercy.
1110) Psalm 147:11. The LORD delights in those who fear him, who
put their hope in his unfailing love.
1111) Colossians 3:17. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God
the Father through him.
231. God considers such works as good only because in his
mercy he delights in everything a believer does out of
love for Jesus.
232. How many good works does God want me to do?
1112) Matthew 18:21,22. Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord,
how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against
me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven
times, but seventy-seven times.”
1113) 2 Corinthians 9:8. God is able to make all grace abound to you,
so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you
will abound in every good work.
1114) Titus 3:8. I want you to stress these things, so that those who
have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to
doing what is good.
1115) Galatians 6:10. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
232. God does not want me to keep a count of my good
works but rather to make use of every opportunity I
have to do them.
Kept in True Faith
233. What enemies try to weaken my faith and keep me
from doing good works?
1116) 2 Corinthians 11:3. I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived
by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led
astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
194
THE
HOLY SPIRIT
HELPS ME
AGAINST
THE
ENEMIES OF
FAITH
AND
CHRIST’S
GOOD
WORKS
OFFICE
DEVIL
SINFUL WORLD
SINFUL NATURE
by
strengthening
my faith
renewing my zeal
to do good works
195
THIRD ARTICLE
1117) Ephesians 6:11,12. Put on the full armor of God so that you
can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against
the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1118) 1 John 2:15. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1119) Galatians 5:17. The sinful nature desires what is contrary to
the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what
you want.
1120) Romans 7:18-23. (I often fall into sin because my old Adam
constantly opposes my new man.)
233. The devil, the world, and my own sinful nature try
to weaken my faith and keep me from doing good
works.
234. What, therefore, does the Holy Spirit do besides
bringing me to faith?
1121) Isaiah 41:10. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
1122) Ephesians 3:16. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may
strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner
being.
1123) 1 Peter 1:5. [You] through faith are shielded by God’s power
until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in
the last time.
1124) 1 Peter 5:10. The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will
himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1125) Psalm 51:10-12. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew
a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of
your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
234. The Holy Spirit also strengthens my faith and renews
my love to do God’s will until I enter heaven.
196
COMMUNION OF SAINTS
The Holy Christian Church,
the Communion of Saints
235. What is the holy Christian church?
1126) Acts 2:47. The Lord added to their number daily those who
were being saved.
1127) Acts 5:14. More and more men and women believed in the
Lord and were added to their number.
1128) Ephesians 5:23. Christ is the head of the church, his body, of
which he is the Savior.
1129) 1 Corinthians 1:2. To the church of God in Corinth, to those
sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all
those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
235. The holy Christian church is all those everywhere who
believe in Jesus as the Savior.
NOTE: The Bible also gives other names to all who believe
in Jesus, such as the city of God (Psalm 46:4), the people of
God (1 Peter 2:9,10), the temple of God (1 Corinthians
3:16,17), Mount Zion (Psalm 48:2), the bride of Christ
(Revelation 21:2), and the body of Christ (Ephesians
1:22,23). The terms “the kingdom of God” and “the Lord’s
vineyard” are also applied to the holy Christian church.
236. Why are all believers everywhere called the holy
Christian church and the communion of saints?
1130) Romans 1:7. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called
to be saints.
1131) 1 Corinthians 1:2. To the church of God in Corinth, to those
sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all
those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1132) Ephesians 5:25-27. Christ loved the church and gave himself
up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with
water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but
holy and blameless.
1133) Revelation 1:5,6. To him who loves us and has freed us from
our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and
priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and
power for ever and ever!
197
ALL BELIEVERS
“holy”
or
“saints”
(sins
washed
away by
Jesus)
“Christian”
“communion”
(trust
only in
Christ)
(united
by faith
in Christ
into one
body)
invisible
THE
HOLY CHRISTIAN
CHURCH
or
THE
COMMUNION
OF SAINTS
198
COMMUNION OF SAINTS
236. All believers everywhere are called holy and saints
because by faith in Jesus their sins are all washed away.
237. Why are all believers everywhere called the holy
Christian church?
1134) Ephesians 2:19,20. You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but
fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s
household, built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
1135) Acts 11:26. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
1136) 1 Corinthians 3:11. No one can lay any foundation other than
the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1137) 1 Timothy 1:1. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.
237. All believers everywhere are called Christian because
their entire hope is founded on Christ.
238. Why is the holy Christian church called a communion of saints?
1138) John 10:16. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I
must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and
there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
1139) 1 Corinthians 12:13. We were all baptized by one Spirit into
one body.
1140) Romans 12:5. In Christ we who are many form one body, and
each member belongs to all the others.
1141) Ephesians 5:23. Christ is the head of the church, his body.
1142) Ephesians 4:3-6. Make every effort to keep the unity of the
Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one
Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were
called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father
of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
238. The holy Christian church is called a communion
because by faith in Christ the Holy Spirit gathers all
believers into one spiritual body.
239. Why is God the only one who knows the members
of the holy Christian church?
199
THIRD ARTICLE
1143) 1 Kings 19:9-18. (Elijah thought he was the only believer left,
but God said there were 7,000.)
1144) Luke 17:20,21. The kingdom of God does not come with your
careful observation, nor will people say, “Here it is,” or “There
it is,” because the kingdom of God is within you.
1145) 1 Samuel 16:7. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the
LORD looks at the heart.
1146) 2 Timothy 2:19. The Lord knows those who are his.
239. God alone knows the members of the holy Christian
church because he alone knows who has faith in his
heart. (the invisible church)
240. By what means does the Holy Spirit call, gather,
enlighten, and sanctify the whole Christian church
on earth and keep it with Jesus Christ in the one
true faith?
1147) Acts 2:38-47. (Believers were added to the church through the
Word, which the apostles taught.)
1148) Ephesians 5:25,26. Christ loved the church and gave himself
up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with
water through the word.
1149) John 10:16. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I
must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and
there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
240. The Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies,
and keeps the holy Christian church by the gospel in
Word and sacraments (see Question 222).
241. Where, then, is the holy Christian church only to
be found?
1150) Matthew 28:19,20. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
1151) Isaiah 55:10,11. As the rain and the snow come down from
heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and
making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower
and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my
200
VISIBLE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what
I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
1152) Matthew 18:20. Where two or three come together in my name,
there am I with them.
241. The holy Christian church is found only where the
gospel is preached and the sacraments are used.
Visible Christian Churches
242. Why do we call a group of people who come
together to hear the gospel a church?
1153) Acts 13:1; 14:23; 15:41; 16:5. (The congregations in various
cities were called churches.)
1154) Isaiah 55:11. [My word] will not return to me empty, but will
accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I
sent it.
1155) Revelation 3:4. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have
not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in
white, for they are worthy.
242. We call a group of people who come together to hear
the gospel a church because we know the Holy Spirit
will use the gospel to bring people in that group to
faith. (a visible church, a congregation, a church body)
243. What does God want us to do with every visible
church that teaches his Word?
1156) 1 John 4:1. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the
spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false
prophets have gone out into the world.
1157) 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22. Test everything. Hold on to the good.
Avoid every kind of evil.
243. God wants us to test every visible church very carefully.
244. What does God want us to examine when we test a
visible church?
1158) Matthew 28:19,20. Go and make disciples of all nations, . . .
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
201
THIRD ARTICLE
1159) John 8:31. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If
you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
1160) Revelation 3:8-10. (Jesus praised the church in Philadelphia
because it kept God’s Word.)
1161) Revelation 2:13-16. (Jesus faulted the church at Pergamum
because it allowed false doctrine to be taught in addition to
God’s Word.)
1162) 2 Timothy 4:3,4. The time will come when men will not put up
with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will
gather around them a great number of teachers to say what
their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away
from the truth and turn aside to myths.
1163) Hebrews 13:9. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange
teachings.
1164) 2 John 9. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the
teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in
the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
1165) Revelation 22:18,19. (Nothing is to be added to or subtracted
from God’s Word.)
244. When we test a visible church, God wants us to examine whether it holds to his pure Word or whether it
allows anything false to be mixed together with his
Word. (true and false visible churches)
The Need for Confessions
Since we cannot know whether the people in a church have
faith in their hearts or not (see Question 239), our testing of a
church will have to be made on the basis of what a church confesses (Romans 10:10; Matthew 12:37).
Most churches have a written statement of what they
believe and teach. These statements are called confessions.
But since churches don’t always practice what they preach or
confess, we will also have to test a church’s practice as well
as its confessional statement.
Sometimes people will say that they don’t agree with the
errors in the confession or practice of the church to which
202
NEED FOR CONFESSIONS
they belong. But if they continue to attend and support a false
church, then they are holding to the confession of that church
(2 John 10,11).
Our Lutheran church has a number of confessions. They are
the following:
1. The Small Catechism (written by Luther in 1529)
2. The Large Catechism (written by Luther in 1529)
3. The Augsburg Confession (written by Melanchthon in
1530)
4. The Apology (written by Melanchthon in 1530)
5. The Smalcald Articles (written by Luther in 1537)
6. The Formula of Concord (written by a committee of
Lutherans in 1577)
These were all written at the time of the Reformation and
were published together in the Book of Concord in 1580.
Since some new errors have troubled the Lutheran church in
the 1900s, our Wisconsin Synod has published a confessional
tract called This We Believe. This tract confesses what is truth
and what is error according to God’s Word in regard to these
new matters that are troubling the church today.
A true Lutheran church will always want to confess the
whole truth of God’s Word and reject everything that is false
(see Question 12).
245. What does God want us to do when we find people
who hold to his pure Word?
1166) John 8:31. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If
you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
1167) John 17:20,21. I pray also for those who will believe in me
through their message, that all of them may be one.
1168) Acts 2:41-47. (The believers formed a congregation under the
leadership of the apostles.)
1169) Acts 11:22,29. (The churches in Antioch and Jerusalem helped
one another.)
1170) Acts 15. (The churches acted together in obedience to God’s
Word when there was a question about doctrine.)
203
THIRD ARTICLE
1171) 1 John 1:3. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard,
so that you also may have fellowship with us.
245. God wants us to join in fellowship with all those who
hold to his pure Word.
246. How do we join in fellowship with those who hold
to God’s pure Word?
1172) Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as
you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as
you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in
your hearts to God.
1173) Hebrews 10:24,25. Let us consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up
meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let
us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the
Day approaching.
1174) Romans 1:11,12. I long to see you so that . . . you and I may
be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
1175) Galatians 6:2. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you
will fulfill the law of Christ.
1176) 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Therefore encourage one another and
build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1177) Ephesians 4:11-16. (As members of one body we grow
stronger together by our fellowship in Christ.)
246a. We join in fellowship by worshiping and studying
God’s Word regularly together. (church fellowship)
1178) Acts 1:14. They all joined together constantly in prayer.
1179) Acts 2:42. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
1180) 1 Timothy 2:1-4,8. (Paul instructs Christians to join with one
another in prayers of all kinds.)
1181) James 5:16. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray
for each other so that you may be healed.
246b. We join in fellowship by praying with each other and
for each other. (prayer fellowship)
1182) Psalm 78:4-7. We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy
deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He
204
NEED FOR CONFESSIONS
1183)
1184)
1185)
1186)
1187)
decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them, even the children yet
to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they
would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but
would keep his commands.
Joel 1:3. Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it
to their children, and their children to the next generation.
John 21:15. Feed my lambs.
Mark 10:14,15. Let the little children come to me, and do not
hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of
God like a little child will never enter it.
2 Timothy 3:15. From infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 22:6. Train a child in the way he should go, and when
he is old he will not turn from it.
246c. We join in fellowship by working together to help
parents teach God’s Word to their children. (Christian education)
1188) Matthew 28:19. Go and make disciples of all nations.
1189) Mark 16:15. Go into all the world and preach the good news to
all creation.
1190) Acts 8:4. Those who had been scattered preached the word
wherever they went.
1191) Acts 6:1-7. (Men were chosen to help the apostles so that the
apostles could devote themselves full time to the ministry of
the Word.)
1192) Philippians 4:14-16. (The Philippians sent money so that Paul
could spend all his time in preaching God’s Word.)
1193) 3 John 5-8. (John commended Gaius for helping those missionaries who worked among the pagans and so had little or
no income.)
246d. We join in fellowship by working together to help
spread the gospel to all people. (mission work)
205
God wants us to
TEST
CHURCH GROUPS
how they
TEACH
HIS WORD
FAITHFULLY
AVOID!
JOIN!
Church
Fellowship
206
Christian
Education
IMPURELY
Mission
Work
So the
error
cannot
spoil
our
faith
To warn
those in
error
of the
danger
to their
faith
NEED FOR CONFESSIONS
247. What does God want us to do if people who are not
members of our church ask us about our faith?
1194) 1 Peter 3:15. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect.
1195) 2 Timothy 2:14. Warn them before God against quarreling
about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
1196) Matthew 7:6. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw
your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under
their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
1197) 1 John 1:3. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard,
so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
247. God wants us to be ready to share our faith with everyone who asks us about it.
248. What does God tell us if we find people who persist
in mixing something false with God’s Word?
1198) Romans 16:17. Watch out for those who cause divisions and
put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you
have learned. Keep away from them.
1199) 2 Corinthians 6:14,17; 7:1. Do not be yoked together with
unbelievers. . . . “come out from them and be separate,” says
the Lord. . . . let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence
for God.
1200) Titus 3:10. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a
second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
1201) 2 John 10,11. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this
teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.
Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.
248. God forbids us to join in fellowship with anyone who
persists in mixing anything false with God’s Word.
249. Why does God want us to separate ourselves from
anyone who persists in mixing anything false with
God’s Word?
207
THIRD ARTICLE
1202) 1 John 1:5,6. God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If
we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness,
we lie and do not live by the truth.
1203) 2 Corinthians 13:8. We cannot do anything against the truth,
but only for the truth.
1204) Psalm 119:30,31,103-105. I have chosen the way of truth. . . .
I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD. . . . How sweet are your
words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain
understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every
wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for
my path.
249a. God wants us to separate ourselves because we are his
children who love the truth and hate anything false.
(separation out of love for the truth of God’s Word)
1205) Matthew 7:15. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you
in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
1206) 2 John 11. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked
work.
1207) 2 Corinthians 7:1. Let us purify ourselves from everything that
contaminates body and spirit.
1208) 2 Timothy 2:17. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.
1209) Galatians 5:9. A little yeast works through the whole batch of
dough.
1210) 2 Corinthians 11:3. I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived
by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led
astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
249b. God wants us to separate ourselves because that which
is false will spread to us and weaken or destroy our
faith. (separation out of love for our own souls)
1211) Revelation 22:18,19. (Adding or subtracting anything in regard
to God’s Word endangers one’s salvation.)
1212) 2 Timothy 2:16-18. Avoid godless chatter, because those who
indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus
and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They
say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they
destroy the faith of some.
208
FORGIVENESS OF SINS
1213) Titus 1:11. They must be silenced, because they are ruining
whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach.
1214) 2 Peter 2:1. False teachers . . . will secretly introduce destructive heresies.
1215) Titus 3:10. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a
second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
1216) Titus 1:13,14. Rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound
in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the
commands of those who reject the truth.
1217) James 5:19,20. If one of you should wander from the truth and
someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever
turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from
death and cover over a multitude of sins.
249c. God wants us to separate ourselves from those who
mix something false with God’s Word to warn them
about the great danger to their souls. (separation out of
love for their souls)
250. Why is it possible that people in a false visible
church can be saved if God’s Word is used there?
1218) 1 Kings 19:14-18. (When false teachers led most of Israel
astray and Elijah thought he was the only believer left, God
said he still had kept 7,000 faithful.)
1219) Isaiah 55:11. [My word] will not return to me empty, but will
accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I
sent it.
250. This is possible because even in a false visible church
the Holy Spirit can use God’s Word to work faith.
The Forgiveness of Sins
251. How does God forgive sins?
1220) Romans 4:6-8. David . . . speaks of the blessedness of the man
to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose
sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will
never count against him.”
1221) 2 Corinthians 5:19. God was reconciling the world to himself
in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.
209
THIRD ARTICLE
1222) Psalm 51:9. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my
iniquity.
1223) Psalm 85:2,3. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from
your fierce anger.
1224) Jeremiah 31:34. I will forgive their wickedness and will
remember their sins no more.
1225) 1 John 1:9. He . . . will forgive us our sins and purify us from
all unrighteousness.
1226) Romans 8:33. Who will bring any charge against those whom
God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
251. God forgives sins like a judge in a courtroom who tells
a criminal that there is no longer any charge against
him and so declares him innocent or not guilty.
(declare righteous, justify)
252. On what basis did God declare guilty sinners to be
righteous?
1227) Isaiah 53:5,6. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was
crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us
peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all,
like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own
way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
1228) 2 Corinthians 5:19,21. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. . . . God
made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we
might become the righteousness of God.
1229) Romans 3:23-26. (So that God could be a good judge and still
declare sinners righteous, he had Christ pay the debt which sinners owed for all their sins.)
252. God declared guilty sinners to be righteous because
Jesus served as their substitute and paid for their sins
in full.
253. How many people did God declare righteous?
1230) 1 Timothy 2:3,4. God our Savior . . . wants all men to be saved
and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1231) Mark 16:15. Go into all the world and preach the good news to
all creation.
210
FORGIVENESS OF SINS
1232) John 3:17. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn
the world, but to save the world through him.
1233) Romans 5:18. Just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness
was justification that brings life for all men.
1234) 2 Corinthians 5:19. God was reconciling the world to himself
in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.
1235) 1 John 2:2. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only
for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1236) John 1:29. Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of
the world!
253. God declared all people righteous. (objective justification)
254. How do many people reject this perfect righteousness that Jesus obtained for them?
1237) Luke 14:16-24. (Many rejected the invitation to the banquet.)
1238) Romans 10:3. Since they did not know the righteousness that
comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did
not submit to God’s righteousness.
1239) Romans 4:6. God credits righteousness apart from works.
1240) Galatians 5:4. You who are trying to be justified by law have
been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
1241) Romans 11:6. If by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it
were, grace would no longer be grace.
1242) Titus 3:5. He saved us, not because of righteous things we
had done, but because of his mercy.
254. Many people reject this perfect righteousness by trying to earn righteousness before God by their own
works. (self-righteousness, work-righteousness)
255. Why is it important, then, that the Holy Spirit
work faith in me?
1243) Philippians 3:7-11. (Paul considered all his own works rubbish and trusted only in what Christ did for him.)
1244) Ephesians 2:8,9. It is by grace you have been saved, through
faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not
by works, so that no one can boast.
211
FORGIVENESS OF SINS
God declared
all people
“Not guilty!”
(JUSTIFICATION)
GOSPEL
because Jesus
paid the debt
we owed
GOSPEL
(REDEMPTION)
offered as a
free gift
to all
(GRACE)
REJECTED
ACCEPTED
by self-righteousness
(trust in men’s works
in some way)
by the Holy Spirit
working faith in me
(trust only in
Christ’s
redeeming work)
Forgiveness
and
Salvation
are
lost!
Daily Forgiveness
and
Eternal Life
are
certain!
212
FORGIVENESS OF SINS
1245) Galatians 3:26,27. You are all sons of God through faith in
Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ.
1246) Romans 3:22,28. This righteousness from God comes
through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. . . . a man is
justified by faith apart from observing the law.
1247) Romans 4:5. To the man who does not work but trusts God
who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
1248) Romans 1:17. In the gospel a righteousness from God is
revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just
as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
255. It is important that the Holy Spirit work faith in me
so that I do not trust in my own works but only in the
righteousness God gives me by grace in Christ. (subjective justification)
256. Why can I as a believer be certain of God’s
forgiveness?
1249) Romans 4:16. The promise comes by faith, so that it may be by
grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring.
1250) Philippians 3:8,9. I consider them [all things] rubbish, that I
may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is
through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from
God and is by faith.
1251) Galatians 2:16. We, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that
we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the
law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
1252) Ephesians 3:12. In him and through faith in him we may
approach God with freedom and confidence.
256. I can be certain of God’s forgiveness because it does
not depend on anything I do but completely on what
Christ has done for me.
257. Why is this certainty a great blessing to me?
1253) Romans 7:14-25. (We sin daily because of our old Adam—
“sinful nature.”)
213
THIRD ARTICLE
1254) Psalm 32:1-5. (The forgiveness of sins removes the torment we
go through because of our guilt.)
1255) Matthew 11:28,29. Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls.
1256) Lamentations 3:22,23. Because of the LORD’s great love we are
not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new
every morning; great is your faithfulness.
257a. This certainty is a great blessing to me because I need
the assurance of God’s forgiveness every day.
1257) Romans 5:20,21. Where sin increased, grace increased all the
more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might
reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
1258) Titus 3:7. [He saved us] so that, having been justified by his
grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
1259) Ephesians 1:13,14. Having believed, you were marked in him
with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.
257b. This certainty is a great blessing to me because I have
the assurance that I am an heir of eternal life.
The Resurrection to Eternal Life
258. What happens when a person dies?
1260) Ecclesiastes 12:7. The dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
1261) Job 19:26; John 11:39. (The body decays.)
1262) Luke 16:22,23. The time came when the beggar died and the
angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died
and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up
and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
1263) Luke 23:43. I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in
paradise.
1264) Luke 23:46. (Jesus commended his spirit to God.)
1265) 2 Corinthians 5:8. We are confident . . . and would prefer to be
away from the body and at home with the Lord.
214
RESURRECTION
1266) Philippians 1:23,24. I am torn between the two: I desire to
depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more
necessary for you that I remain in the body.
258. When a person dies, his body decays, but his soul is
either in hell or with God in heaven.
259. What will happen in the resurrection on the Last
Day?
1267) John 5:28,29. A time is coming when all who are in their
graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done
good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to
be condemned.
1268) Daniel 12:2. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will
awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
1269) Acts 24:15. There will be a resurrection of both the righteous
and the wicked.
1270) Job 19:25-27. I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the
end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been
destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns
within me!
1271) John 6:40. My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the
Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise
him up at the last day.
1272) Revelation 20:13. The sea gave up the dead that were in it.
1273) 1 Corinthians 6:14. By his power God raised the Lord from
the dead, and he will raise us also.
259. On the Last Day God will use his power to raise the
bodies of all people from the dead.
260. What will happen to the unbelievers who rejected
God’s gracious forgiveness?
1274) Mark 16:16. Whoever does not believe will be condemned.
1275) Matthew 25:41,46. Then he will say to those on his left,
“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire
prepared for the devil and his angels.” . . . Then they will go
away to eternal punishment.
215
THIRD ARTICLE
1276) Revelation 20:15. If anyone’s name was not found written in
the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
1277) Luke 16:23,24. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked
up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So
he called to him, “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send
Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my
tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.”
1278) Matthew 22:10-13. (In the parable of the wedding banquet,
Jesus teaches that those who reject God’s grace will be cast
out into darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of
teeth.)
1279) Isaiah 66:24. Their worm will not die, nor will their fire be
quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.
260. The unbelievers will be separated from God to suffer
eternal torment in the fires of hell.
261. What will happen to the believers in whom the
Holy Spirit worked faith in Christ?
1280) Matthew 25:34,46. Then the King will say to those on his right,
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the
world.” Then . . . the righteous [will go away] to eternal life.
1281) 1 Thessalonians 4:17. So we will be with the Lord forever.
1282) Psalm 23:6. I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
261. The believers will be taken by Christ to be with him
forever in heaven.
262. What will my life be like when I am with God in
heaven?
1283) Revelation 7:15-17. (Those with God in heaven are free from
every trouble and sorrow of life here on earth.)
1284) Revelation 21:3,4. Now the dwelling of God is with men, and
he will live with them. . . . He will wipe every tear from their
eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or
pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
1285) Hebrews 4:9,10. There remains . . . a Sabbath-rest for the
people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests
from his own work, just as God did from his.
216
UNBELIEVER
BELIEVER
DEATH
DEATH
soul
in
hell
body
decays
LAST DAY
soul
with
body
body
raised
soul
in
heaven
body
decays
LAST DAY
body
raised
and
glorified
soul
with
body
Eternal torment of
Eternal joy of
HELL
HEAVEN
Burning
in a
great
fire
Cast
out
from
God
Rest from
all labor,
trouble,
and sorrow
Pleasure
with God
in
glory
COME,
LORD JESUS!
217
THIRD ARTICLE
262a. When I am with God in heaven, I will have rest from
all the labors, troubles, and sorrows of my life
on earth.
1286) Revelation 14:13. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord
from now on.
1287) Revelation 19:9. Blessed are those who are invited to the
wedding supper of the Lamb!
1288) Psalm 16:11. You will fill me with joy in your presence, with
eternal pleasures at your right hand.
1289) Colossians 3:4. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then
you also will appear with him in glory.
262b. When I am with God in heaven, I will live in glory
and have joy and pleasures forever.
263. How will Christ change my body so that I can live
with him in heaven?
1290) 2 Corinthians 5:1,2. Now we know that if the earthly tent we
live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal
house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we
groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling.
1291) Philippians 3:21. [Christ] will transform our lowly bodies so
that they will be like his glorious body.
1292) 1 Corinthians 15:52,53. The trumpet will sound, the dead will
be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
1293) 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. So it will be with the resurrection of
the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown
in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it
is raised a spiritual body.
263. Christ will change my body so that it is a glorious
body like his, which is able to live forever in heaven
with him.
264. How do I look forward to the Last Day because the
Holy Spirit brought me to faith?
218
RESURRECTION
1294) 2 Thessalonians 2:13. From the beginning God chose you to be
saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through
belief in the truth.
1295) Luke 21:28. When these things begin to take place, stand up and
lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
1296) Philippians 3:20. Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly
await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
1297) 2 Timothy 4:8. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to
me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have
longed for his appearing.
1298) Revelation 22:20. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I
am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
264. Because the Holy Spirit brought me to faith, I
look forward to the Last Day with longing and eager
anticipation.
219
THE MEANS OF GRACE: THE GOSPEL
IN WORD AND SACRAMENTS
In the Bible, the expression “grace of God” usually means
“God’s undeserved love, which provides free forgiveness of
sins, life, and salvation for all people.” In the study of the three
articles, we learned that it is only through Christ that God in
his grace forgives all sins and thus also gives life and salvation. Now we want to ask, “By what means do we learn to
know the grace of God?” It is by the study of God’s Word. So
we say that the means by which God makes known and gives
his grace to us is his Word.
But earlier we learned that God’s Word is made up of two
basic teachings or doctrines, the law and the gospel. Of these
two doctrines it is the gospel that tells us about God’s grace.
So to be more exact we say that the means by which God
offers and gives his grace to us is the gospel in his Word.
We might use a water pipe as an illustration of the means
of grace. The water pipe is the means by which the water
from a water tower or well is brought to the faucet in our
sinks. In a similar way the gospel in God’s Word is the means
by which God’s grace (forgiveness of sins and eternal life) is
offered and given to us.
In the Third Article we learned how the gospel in God’s
Word serves as a means of grace. Now we are going to begin
the study of two sacred acts in which the gospel is also used as
a means of grace. They are called the Sacrament of Holy
Baptism and the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
When we use the term “sacrament,” we mean a sacred act
that has three basic characteristics:
1. A sacrament is a sacred act that Christ established or
instituted for Christians to do.
220
MEANS OF GRACE
2. A sacrament is a sacred act in which Christ tells us to
use earthly elements (water, bread, and wine) together
with God’s Word.
3. A sacrament is a sacred act in which Christ offers,
gives, and seals to us the forgiveness of sins and thus
also life and salvation.
In our study of the sacraments that follows, each of these
three characteristics will be stressed. But note especially the
third characteristic, which reminds us that the gospel used in
the sacraments is the means by which God offers and gives us
his grace.
In summary, then, if we ask, “What do we mean by the
means of grace?” the answer is this: The means of grace is that
means by which God offers and gives us the forgiveness of
sins, life, and salvation. And if we ask, “What is that means of
grace?” the answer is this: The means of grace is the gospel in
Word and sacraments.
221
Holy Baptism
THE INSTITUTION OF BAPTISM
First: What is Baptism?
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water
used by God’s command and connected with
God’s Word.
What is that word of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of
Matthew, “Go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
265. How was the Sacrament of Holy Baptism instituted?
1299) Matthew 28:18,19. Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
265. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism was instituted by
Jesus’ command to baptize all nations in the name of
the triune God.
266. What does the Greek word “baptize” mean?
1300) Mark 1:8. I baptize you with water.
1301) Mark 7:3,4. The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless
they give their hands a ceremonial washing [Greek: washing],
holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the
marketplace they do not eat unless they wash [Greek: baptize].
And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing
[Greek: baptizing] of cups, pitchers and kettles [footnote: and
dining couches].
266. The Greek word “baptize” means to use water in various ways: immerse, wash, pour, or sprinkle.
224
INSTITUTION OF BAPTISM
267. Why is the Sacrament of Holy Baptism not just the
use of plain water?
1302) Matthew 28:19. [Jesus said], “Go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them.”
267a. The Sacrament of Baptism is not just the use of plain
water since it is water used by God’s command.
1303) Matthew 28:19. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
1304) Ephesians 5:25,26. Christ loved the church and gave himself
up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with
water through the word.
267b. The Sacrament of Baptism is not just the use of plain
water since it is water connected with God’s Word.
268. What does it mean to baptize “in the name of” the
triune God?
1305) Numbers 6:27. So they will put my name on the Israelites, and
I will bless them.
1306) Galatians 3:27. All of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ.
1307) 1 Corinthians 12:13. We were all baptized by one Spirit into
one body.
1308) Ephesians 2:19. You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but
fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s
household.
268. To baptize “in the name of” the triune God means that
God makes us members of his blessed family.
269. What does Jesus’ command to baptize “all
nations” mean?
1309) Acts 2:38,39. Repent and be baptized, every one of you. . . .
The promise is for you and your children.
1310) Acts 8:26-40. (The Ethiopian requested Baptism for himself.)
1311) Acts 16:29-34. (The jailer requested Baptism for himself and
his whole family.)
225
BAPTISM
269. Jesus’ command to baptize “all nations” means we are
to baptize all who request baptism for themselves or
for their children.
270. What does the Bible teach us to do before we baptize adults?
1312) Acts 8:26-40. (The Ethiopian was instructed about Jesus and
then baptized.)
1313) Acts 16:29-34. (The jailer of Philippi was instructed about
Jesus and then baptized.)
270. The Bible teaches us to instruct adults about Jesus
before we baptize them.
271. Why do we baptize little children?
1314) Matthew 28:19. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.
1315) Acts 2:39. The promise is for you and your children.
271a. We baptize little children because they are included in
Christ’s words “all nations.”
1316) Psalm 51:5. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time
my mother conceived me.
1317) John 3:5,6. No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is
born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the
Spirit gives birth to spirit.
271b. We baptize little children because they are sinful by
nature and must be born again in order to be saved.
1318) Matthew 18:6. If anyone causes one of these little ones who
believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large
millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the
depths of the sea.
1319) Luke 18:15-17. People were . . . bringing babies to Jesus to
have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they
rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said,
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for
the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the
226
BAPTISM
is a
SACRAMENT
IN THE NAME
OF THE
TRIUNE GOD
USE
WATER
FOR
ALL NATIONS
adults
children
all
nations
sinful
believe
227
BAPTISM
truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a
little child will never enter it.”
271c. We baptize little children because they too can believe.
The Pastor Baptizes
Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize. This means that
all believers have the right from Jesus to baptize (see Question
305). Why, then, does our pastor normally do the baptizing in
our congregation? God urges us to do everything “in a fitting
and orderly way” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Therefore, to avoid
disorder in our congregation, when we call a man to serve as
our pastor, we also ask him to do the baptizing.
Emergency Baptism
If a child is in danger of dying, however, and our pastor is
not present, any Christian may and should administer Baptism. If the child lives, it is not necessary later to have the pastor baptize the child also. The important thing in Baptism is
not who does it, but rather that it is done in the way Jesus commanded us, namely, by using water connected with God’s
Word. In an emergency, then, we should simply take water and
pour or sprinkle or wash the water on the head of the child
while we say, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” If there is time, the baptism
may also be preceded or followed by a Scripture reading such
as Luke 18:15-17, a prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer. (See page
14 of Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal for a form for
emergency baptism.)
Sponsors and Witnesses
Having sponsors for a baby is not commanded by God, so it
is not a necessary part of Baptism. It is a custom that our
church uses because of the special things a sponsor can do for
a child.
228
BAPTISM
The sponsor does not believe for the child, but the parents
ask the sponsor to be concerned about the spiritual welfare of
the child in various ways. The sponsor can remind the child of
his or her baptism and the meaning of Baptism. The sponsor
can assure the child it was baptized if this is ever in doubt. The
sponsor can pray for the godchild and encourage the godchild
to study God’s Word faithfully. Thus the sponsor also assures
the parents that if they should die, there would be someone to
look after the spiritual needs of the child and bring the child
up in the true faith.
The responsibility of a witness is different from that of a
sponsor. If we ask someone to serve as a witness to a child’s
baptism, we are asking that person only to be a witness to the
fact that the child was baptized. If a person is of another faith,
we ask him to serve as a witness rather than a sponsor. We do
this because we want to uphold the confession that God tells
us to make to all with whom we are not in fellowship (see
Questions 246 and 247).
229
THE BLESSINGS OF BAPTISM
Second: What does Baptism do for us?
Baptism works forgiveness of sin, delivers
from death and the devil, and gives eternal
salvation to all who believe this, as the words
and promises of God declare.
What are these words and promises of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of
Mark, “Whoever believes and is baptized will
be saved, but whoever does not believe will be
condemned.”
272. What blessings does God offer and give us in
Baptism?
1320) Acts 2:38. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
1321) Acts 22:16. Be baptized and wash your sins away.
272a. In Baptism God offers and gives us forgiveness of sins.
1322) Romans 6:3. Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized
into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
1323) Hebrews 2:14,15. He too shared in their humanity so that by
his death he might destroy him who holds the power of
death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives
were held in slavery by their fear of death.
272b. In Baptism God offers and gives us deliverance from
the power of death and the devil.
1324) Mark 16:16. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.
1325) 1 Peter 3:20,21. In it [Noah’s ark] only a few people, eight in
all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also.
230
BAPTISM’S
BLESSINGS
ETERNAL
SALVATION
FORGIVENESS
OF
SIN
DELIVERANCE
FROM
DEATH
AND THE
DEVIL
GOD’S CHILD
and an
HEIR OF LIFE
231
BAPTISM
272c. In Baptism God offers and gives us eternal salvation.
273. Why is Baptism, then, a means of grace?
1326) Romans 6:3. Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized
into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
1327) 1 Peter 3:21. Baptism . . . now saves you also—not the removal
of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience
toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1328) Galatians 3:27. All of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ.
273. Baptism is a means of grace because in Baptism God
offers and gives us all the blessings that Christ won
for us.
274. Why, then, is my baptism such a great comfort
to me?
1329) John 3:3,5. Unless he is born again . . . no one can enter the
kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
1330) Galatians 3:26,27. You are all sons of God through faith in
Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ.
1331) Titus 3:5-7. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of
eternal life.
274. My baptism is such a great comfort to me because it
assures me that I am born again as a justified child of
God and an heir of everlasting life.
232
THE POWER OF BAPTISM
Third: How can water do such great things?
It is certainly not the water that does such
things, but God’s Word which is in and with
the water and faith which trusts this Word
used with the water.
For without God’s Word the water is just plain
water and not Baptism. But with this Word it
is Baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and
a washing of rebirth by the Holy Spirit.
Where is this written?
St. Paul says in Titus, chapter 3, “[God] saved
us through the washing of rebirth and renewal
by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us
generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that, having been justified by his grace, we
might become heirs having the hope of eternal
life. This is a trustworthy saying.”
275. Why is Baptism able to offer and give such great
blessings?
1332) John 3:5. No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is
born of water and the Spirit.
1333) Acts 2:38. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
1334) Titus 3:5. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit.
275. Baptism is able to offer and give such great blessings
because the Holy Spirit is at work in Baptism.
233
BAPTISM’S
POWER
the
HOLY SPIRIT
works
by
WORD
promises
blessings
—connected to—
WATER
gives
faith
“WASHING OF REBIRTH”
(Means of Grace)
234
POWER OF BAPTISM
276. Through what does the Holy Spirit do his work in
Baptism?
1335) Ephesians 5:25,26. Christ loved the church and gave himself
up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with
water through the word.
1336) 1 Peter 1:23. You have been born again, not of perishable
seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring
word of God.
276. The Holy Spirit does his work in Baptism through the
Word of God connected with the water.
277. What does the Holy Spirit do through the Word of
God in Baptism?
1337) Acts 2:38,39. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you
and your children.
277a. Through the Word of God in Baptism the Holy Spirit
promises us blessings.
1338) Mark 16:16. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.
1339) Colossians 2:12. [You have] been buried with him in baptism
and raised with him through your faith.
1340) Titus 3:5,7. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit . . . so that, having been justified by
his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal
life.
1341) Acts 8:26-39. (By Baptism the Ethiopian was strengthened in
faith, so that he went away rejoicing.)
277b. Through the Word of God in Baptism the Holy Spirit
creates or strengthens faith in us, so that we trust
God’s promise and make the blessings of Baptism
our own.
278. What, then, does the Word of God make Baptism?
1342) 1 Peter 3:21. Baptism . . . now saves you also—not the removal
of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience
toward God.
235
BAPTISM
1343) Titus 3:5-7. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of
eternal life.
278. The Word of God makes Baptism a gracious water of
life and a washing of rebirth by the Holy Spirit.
236
THE MEANING OF BAPTISM
FOR OUR DAILY LIFE
Fourth: What does baptizing with water mean?
Baptism means that the old Adam in us should
be drowned by daily contrition and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be
put to death. It also means that a new person
should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
Where is this written?
Saint Paul says in Romans, chapter 6, “We
were . . . buried with [Christ] through baptism
into death in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead through the glory of the
Father, we too may live a new life.”
279. What new desire does the Holy Spirit work in me
by Baptism?
1344) Romans 6:3,6. Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? For we
know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body
of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be
slaves to sin.
1345) Romans 6:4,5. We were therefore buried with him through
baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from
the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new
life. If we have been united with him in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
279. By Baptism the Holy Spirit works in me the desire to
throw off the slavery of sin and live a new life.
237
BAPTISM
280. How does the old Adam oppose this new desire in
me? (See Questions 126 and 127 for an explanation
of old Adam.)
1346) Galatians 5:17. The sinful nature desires what is contrary to
the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what
you want.
1347) Galatians 5:19-21. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious:
sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and
witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and
the like.
280. The old Adam opposes this new desire in me by trying
to lead me into many kinds of evil deeds and desires.
281. What does my baptism remind me to do with the
old Adam every day?
1348) Colossians 2:11,12. In him you were also circumcised, in the
putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by
the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,
having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him
through your faith.
1349) Romans 6:2,3,6,12,13. We died to sin; how can we live in it
any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? For we
know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body
of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be
slaves to sin. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body
so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your
body to sin, as instruments of wickedness.
281. My baptism reminds me to put off the old Adam
every day.
282. How do I put off the old Adam every day?
1350) Psalm 38:18. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
1351) Luke 15:21. The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against
heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called
your son.”
238
BAPTISM’S
MEANING
every day
buried with
Christ
raised with
Christ
hate evil deeds
and desires
love righteousness
and purity
put off the
old Adam
put on the
new person
by contrition
and repentance
out of love
and thanks
239
BAPTISM
1352) Psalm 51:4,17. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done
what is evil in your sight. . . . a broken and contrite heart, O
God, you will not despise.
1353) 2 Corinthians 7:10. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads
to salvation.
1354) Acts 20:21. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they
must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord
Jesus.
1355) Matthew 26:75; John 21:15-17. (Peter wept over his sin and
confessed his love of Jesus his Savior.)
282. I put off the old Adam every day by being sorry for my
sins and by believing that God forgives my sins for
Jesus’ sake. (contrition and repentance)
283. Of what does my baptism remind me every day
concerning my new person? (See Question 130 for
an explanation of new man or new person.)
1356) Romans 6:4. We were . . . buried with him through baptism
into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
1357) Ephesians 4:22-24. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self . . . ; to be made new
in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
1358) Romans 6:13. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as
instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God,
as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer
the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
1359) Luke 19:1-10. (Zacchaeus’ repentance led to a new life.)
1360) Galatians 5:22,23. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control.
283. My baptism reminds me that a new person should
daily arise to live before god in righteousness and
purity forever.
284. Why does my baptism renew in me day by day the
desire to live a new and holy life?
240
MEANING OF BAPTISM FOR DAILY LIFE
1361) Galatians 3:27. All of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ.
1362) 2 Corinthians 5:14,15. Christ’s love compels us. . . . He died
for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves
but for him who died for them and was raised again.
1363) Colossians 2:6,7. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as
Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him,
strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing
with thankfulness.
284. My baptism renews this desire in me day by day
because the blessings Christ gives me in Baptism lead
me to want to thank him with my whole life.
241
Holy
Communion
THE INSTITUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
First: What is the Sacrament of Holy
Communion?First: Wha
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus
Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by
Christ for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Where is this written?
The holy evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and the apostle Paul tell us: Our Lord Jesus
Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took
bread; and when he had given thanks, he
broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body, which is given
for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it
to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this
is my blood of the new covenant, which is
poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
285. How was the Sacrament of Holy Communion
instituted?
1364) Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20. (Christ
instituted Holy Communion while eating the Passover meal
with his disciples.)
1365) 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. The Lord Jesus, on the night he was
betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke
it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in
remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the
cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do
this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
244
INSTITUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
285. The Sacrament of Holy Communion was instituted by
the command of Jesus to do what he did on the night
he was betrayed.
NOTE: Holy Communion is also called the Lord’s Supper
(1 Corinthians 11:20), the Lord’s Table (1 Corinthians
10:21), the Sacrament of the Altar, and the Eucharist (1 Corinthians 11:24).
286. What does Jesus tell us to do in the Sacrament of
Holy Communion?
1366) Matthew 26:26-29. Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke
it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is
my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to
them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of
the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine
from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in
my Father’s kingdom.”
286. Jesus tells us to eat bread and to drink wine.
287. What does Jesus tell us is present with the bread
and the wine in Holy Communion?
1367) Mark 14:22-24. Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and
gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then
he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they
all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is
poured out for many,” he said.
1368) Luke 22:19,20. He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and
gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this
in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he
took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my
blood, which is poured out for you.”
287. Jesus tells us that his real body is present with the
bread and that his real blood is present with the wine.
(real presence)
288. What do we receive, therefore, in, with, and under
the bread and the wine in Holy Communion?
245
HOLY COMMUNION
1369) 1 Corinthians 10:16. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which
we give thanks a participation in [Greek: a sharing in] the
blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in [Greek: a sharing in] the body of Christ?
1370) 1 Corinthians 11:27. Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup
of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning
against the body and blood of the Lord.
288. In Holy Communion we receive the true body of
Christ in, with, and under the bread and the true blood
of Christ together with the wine.
289. Why do we believe this teaching about the real
presence of Jesus’ true body and blood in Holy
Communion even though we cannot explain it?
1371) Luke 1:34-37. (Faith does not understand God’s miracles, but
it knows that God is able to do everything he says.)
1372) Numbers 23:19. God is not a man, that he should lie.
1373) Psalm 33:4. The word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
289. We believe this teaching of the real presence because
God reveals it to us in his Word of Truth.
246
The
LORD’S SUPPER
is a
SACRAMENT
USE BREAD
AND WINE
USE JESUS’
WORDS
in which
in a
natural way
by a
miracle
we
receive
we
receive
bread
and
wine
in,
with,
and
under
his body
and
blood
HOLY
COMMUNION
247
THE BLESSINGS OF HOLY COMMUNION
Second: What blessing do we receive through
this eating and drinking? d
That is shown us by these words: “Given” and
“poured out for you for the forgiveness
of sins.”
Through these words we receive forgiveness
of sins, life, and salvation in this sacrament.
For where there is forgiveness of sins, there
is also life and salvation.
290. Why did Jesus give his body into death and pour
out his blood for us?
1374) 1 Peter 2:24. He himself bore our sins in his body on the
tree . . . ; by his wounds you have been healed.
1375) Ephesians 1:7. In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins.
290. Jesus gave his body into death and poured out his
blood for the forgiveness of our sins.
291. What blessings does Jesus offer and give us by giving us his body and blood in Holy Communion?
1376) Matthew 26:28. This is my blood of the covenant, which is
poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
1377) Luke 22:19,20. This is my body given for you. . . . This cup
is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
1378) 1 Corinthians 11:24,25. This is my body, which is for you. . . .
This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
1379) Romans 11:27. This is my covenant with them when I take
away their sins.
248
HOLY COMMUNION’S
BLESSINGS
FORGIVENESS
OF SINS
SALVATION
LIFE
sealed
to us
by
receiving
JESUS’ BODY
JESUS’ BLOOD
given for us
poured out for us
249
HOLY COMMUNION
291a. By giving us his body and blood in Holy Communion,
Jesus offers and gives us forgiveness of sins.
1380) Romans 5:9. Since we have now been justified by his blood,
how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through
him!
1381) Romans 6:22,23. Now that you have been set free from sin and
have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
291b. In Holy Communion Jesus also offers and gives us life
and salvation.
292. Why, then, is Holy Communion so comforting to
me?
1382) Luke 22:19,20. This is my body given for you. . . . This cup is
the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
1383) 1 Corinthians 11:25,26. “This cup is the new covenant in my
blood; do this, whenever [Greek: as often as] you drink it, in
remembrance of me.” For whenever [Greek: as often as] you
eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death
until he comes.
292. Holy Communion is so comforting to me because in it
Jesus again and again assures me personally of forgiveness, life, and salvation.
250
THE POWER OF HOLY COMMUNION
Third: How can eating and drinking do such
great things?
It is certainly not the eating and drinking
that does such things, but the words “Given”
and “poured out for you for the forgiveness
of sins.”
These words are the main thing in this sacrament, along with the eating and drinking.
And whoever believes these words has what
they plainly say, the forgiveness of sins.
293. Why is Holy Communion able to offer and give
such great blessings?
1384) 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. The Lord Jesus . . . took bread, and
when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my
body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the
same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the
new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in
remembrance of me.”
1385) John 6:63. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they
are life.
293. Holy Communion is able to offer and give such great
blessings because of the words Jesus told us to use
along with the eating and drinking.
294. What does Jesus do through his Word in Holy
Communion?
1386) Matthew 26:26,28. Take and eat; this is my body. This is my
blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins.
251
HOLY COMMUNION’S
POWER
JESUS
works
by
WORD
promises
blessings
—connected to—
strengthens
faith
Means of Grace
252
EATING
AND
DRINKING
POWER OF HOLY COMMUNION
294a. Through his Word in Holy Communion, Jesus
promises to give us his body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.
1387) Romans 10:17. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the
message is heard through the word of Christ.
1388) Numbers 21:4-9. (Only those Israelites who looked to the
bronze snake in faith were healed.)
1389) Hebrews 11:1. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
294b. Through his Word in Holy Communion, Jesus
strengthens our faith so that we trust his promise and
make the blessings of this sacrament our own.
295. What, therefore, does the Word of Christ make
Holy Communion?
1390) 1 Corinthians 10:16. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which
we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is
not the bread that we break a participation in the body of
Christ?
1391) Romans 3:24,25. [All] are justified freely by his grace through
the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him
as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.
295. The Word of Christ makes Holy Communion an eating
and drinking through which God graciously gives us all
the blessings that Christ won for us. (means of grace)
253
THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
Fourth: Who, then, is properly prepared to
receive this sacrament?to
Fasting and other outward preparations may
serve a good purpose, but he is properly prepared who believes these words: “Given” and
“poured out for you for the forgiveness
of sins.”
But whoever does not believe these words or
doubts them is not prepared, because the
words “for you” require nothing but hearts
that believe.
296. Why do we prepare ourselves to receive Holy
Communion?
1392) 1 Corinthians 11:27,28. Whoever eats the bread or drinks the
cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning
against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
296. We prepare ourselves so that we do not sin by receiving
the body and blood of Christ in an unworthy manner.
297. What good purpose may fasting and other outward
preparations serve in preparing to receive the
Lord’s Supper?
1393) l Corinthians 11:20-22. (The Corinthians did not center their
thoughts on the meaning of the Lord’s Supper.)
1394) Leviticus 23:26-32. (God wanted his people in the Old
Testament to do no work and to deny themselves or fast
in order to center all their thoughts on the meaning of the Day
of Atonement.)
254
RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
297a. Fasting and other outward preparations may help
us center our thoughts on the meaning of the Lord’s
Supper.
1395) 1 Corinthians 10:21. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and
the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the
Lord’s table and the table of demons.
1396) Exodus 19:10. (Moses was to have the people wash their
clothes out of respect for the Lord, who was coming to them
on Mt. Sinai.)
297b. Fasting and other outward preparations may be a way
of showing respect for Jesus, who invites us to eat and
drink at his table.
298. What, however, is the one and only thing that
makes us properly prepared to receive the Lord’s
Supper?
1397) Luke 22:19,20. This is my body given for you. . . . This cup is
the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
1398) 1 Corinthians 11:27-29. (God says that whoever eats the bread
or drinks the cup of the Lord without recognizing the real presence of Christ’s body and blood is sinning and so is unprepared
to receive the Lord’s Supper.)
298. The one and only thing which makes us properly prepared is faith, because Jesus’ words “for you” require
nothing but hearts that believe.
299. What are we confessing about our faith when we
receive Holy Communion together with others?
1399) 1 Corinthians 11:24-26. “This is my body, which is for you; do
this in remembrance of me.”. . . “This cup is the new covenant
in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance
of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you
proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1400) 1 Corinthians 10:17. Because there is one loaf, we, who are
many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
255
HOLY COMMUNION
299. When we receive Holy Communion together with
others, we are confessing our unity of faith in our
Lord Jesus.
300. Why are we careful about whom we invite to
receive Holy Communion?
1401) 1 Corinthians 11:27,29,30. Whoever eats the bread or drinks
the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of
sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. . . . anyone
who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord
eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many
among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have
fallen asleep.
300. We are careful about whom we invite to receive Holy
Communion because we do not want anyone to bring
God’s judgment on himself by receiving Holy Communion in an unworthy manner.
301. To whom does God want us to give Holy Communion?
1402) 1 John 1:8,9. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he . . .
will forgive us our sins.
1403) Matthew 18:15-18. (God tells us to withhold forgiveness and
fellowship from an unrepentant sinner.)
301a. God wants us to give Holy Communion only to repentant sinners.
1404) 1 Corinthians 11:24,26. “Do this in remembrance of me.” . . .
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1405) Hebrews 5:13; 6:1. Anyone who lives on milk, being still an
infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ
and go on to maturity.
301b. God wants us to give Holy Communion only to those
who are instructed so that they know the meaning of
Christ’s death. (confirmation instruction)
256
THE
RECEPTION
of HOLY COMMUNION
1. HOW?
Prepared!
(faith)
Close
Communion
2. WHAT?
A confession!
(faith)
3. WHEN?
Often!
4. WHY?
Forgives sins!
Strengthens faith!
Encourages each other!
Gives strength for
Christian living!
257
HOLY COMMUNION
1406) 1 Corinthians 11:28,29. A man ought to examine himself
before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone
who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord
eats and drinks judgment on himself.
301c. God wants us to give Holy Communion only to those
who are able to examine themselves. (See Christian
Questions on page 320.)
1407) 1 Corinthians 10:17. Because there is one loaf, we, who are
many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
1408) Romans 16:17. I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those
who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that
are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away
from them.
1409) 2 John 10,11. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this
teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.
Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.
301d. God wants us to give Holy Communion only to those
who are one with us in all we believe and teach.
302. Why does Jesus urge us to come to Holy
Communion often?
1410) 1 Corinthians 11:25. This cup is the new covenant in my
blood; do this, whenever [Greek: as often as] you drink it, in
remembrance of me.
1411) Romans 4:7. Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
1412) Romans 7:19. What I do is not the good I want to do; no, the
evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
1413) Matthew 11:28. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
302a. Jesus urges us to come often because by Holy
Communion he wants to assure us that he forgives all
our sins.
1414) Mark 9:24. I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!
1415) Hebrews 4:15,16. We do not have a high priest who is unable
to sympathize with our weaknesses. . . . Let us then approach
258
RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
302b. Jesus urges us to come often because by Holy
Communion he wants to strengthen our weak faith.
1416) 1 Corinthians 11:26. Whenever you eat this bread and drink
this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1417) 1 Corinthians 10:17. We, who are many, are one body, for we
all partake of the one loaf.
1418) Hebrews 10:23-25. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we
profess. . . . And let us consider how we may spur one another
on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage
one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
302c. Jesus urges us to come often because as we proclaim
our unity of faith in our Lord’s death, we also encourage each other in our Christian faith and lives.
303. Why will receiving the blessings of the Lord’s
Supper also strengthen us in Christian living?
1419) 1 Corinthians 10:21. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and
the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the
Lord’s table and the table of demons.
1420) 2 Corinthians 5:14,15. Christ’s love compels us. . . . He died
for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves
but for him who died for them and was raised again.
1421) Colossians 2:6,7. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as
Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him,
strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing
with thankfulness.
303. Receiving the blessings of the Lord’s Supper also
strengthens us in Christian living because it renews
our desire to thank Christ for all that he did in love
for us.
259
The Use of the
Keys and Confession
THE KEYS
First: What is the use of the keys?
The use of the keys is that special power and
right which Christ gave to his church on
earth: to forgive the sins of penitent sinners
but to refuse forgiveness to the impenitent as
long as they do not repent.
Where is this written?
The holy evangelist John writes in chapter
20, “[Jesus] breathed on [his disciples] and
said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive
anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do
not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’ ”
304. What does Christ mean when he speaks about
the keys?
1422) Matthew 16:19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
1423) John 20:23. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if
you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.
304. By the keys Christ means the special power and right
he gives us either to forgive sins (the loosing key) or to
refuse to forgive sins (the binding key).
305. Why is the use of the keys called a “special power
and right”?
1424) John 20:21-23. Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father
has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on
them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone
his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are
not forgiven.”
262
THE KEYS
1425) 1 Peter 2:9. You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare
the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.
1426) Matthew 18:18,20. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound
in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven. For where two or three come together in my name,
there am I with them.
305. The use of the keys is called a “special power and
right” because Christ gives the keys only to his holy
people, namely, to all believers, or the church. (the
priesthood of all believers)
306. How valid and certain is the use of the keys by
believers?
1427) Matthew 18:18,20. I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on
earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth
will be loosed in heaven. For where two or three come together
in my name, there am I with them.
306. The use of the keys by believers is as valid and certain in heaven also, as if Christ dealt with us himself.
307. How does God want us to use the binding key?
1428) 1 John 1:8,10. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we claim we have not
sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place
in our lives.
1429) Luke 18:10-14. (The Pharisee was not justified before God
because he was impenitent.)
1430) Matthew 18:15-18. (If a person refuses to listen when we tell
him about a sin he is committing, he is to be told that he stands
under God’s judgment.)
1431) John 20:23. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.
307. God wants us to use the binding key to refuse forgiveness to an impenitent person as long as he does
not repent.
263
THE KEYS AND CONFESSION
308. Why does God want us to use the binding key?
1432) Matthew 18:15,17. Go and show him his fault. . . . If he refuses
to listen . . . treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
1433) Matthew 18:15. If he listens to you, you have won your
brother over.
1434) 1 Corinthians 5:5. Hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of
the Lord.
1435) Matthew 18:18. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound
in heaven.
308. God wants us to use the binding key to try to lead the
impenitent sinner to repent by announcing God’s terrible judgment on him.
309. How does God want us to use the loosing key?
1436) 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and
will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1437) Luke 18:13,14. (The penitent tax collector went home justified
before God.)
1438) Acts 3:19. Repent . . . and turn to God, so that your sins may
be wiped out.
1439) John 20:23. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven.
309. God wants us to use the loosing key to forgive the sins
of a penitent sinner.
310. Why does God want us to use the loosing key?
1440) Psalm 38:3-7,18,21,22. (David as a penitent sinner needed and
desired the assurance of God’s forgiveness for his sins.)
1441) Psalm 51:8,9. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you
have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out
all my iniquity.
1442) 2 Corinthians 2:7. You ought to forgive and comfort him, so
that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
310. God wants us to use the loosing key to comfort the penitent sinner by announcing God’s forgiveness to him.
264
CHRIST
gave the
KEYS
FORGIVE
NOT FORGIVE
to all
believers
TO COMFORT
THE PENITENT
TO WARN
THE IMPENITENT
CHRIST
is
speaking!
265
THE PUBLIC USE OF THE KEYS
Second: How does a Christian congregation
use the keys?
A Christian congregation with its called servant of Christ uses the keys in accordance with
Christ’s command by forgiving those who
repent of their sin and are willing to amend,
and by excluding from the congregation those
who are plainly impenitent that they may
repent. I believe that when this is done, it is as
valid and certain in heaven also, as if Christ,
our dear Lord, dealt with us himself.
Where is this written?
Jesus says in Matthew, chapter 18, “Whatever
you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed
in heaven.”
311. Through whom are the keys administered publicly
in a congregation?
1443) 2 Corinthians 2:10. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him
. . . in the sight of Christ for your sake.
1444) Hebrews 13:17. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an
account.
311. The keys are administered publicly in a congregation
through its pastor.
312. Why do our congregations have pastors?
1445) Hebrews 13:17. Obey your leaders and submit to their
authority.
266
THE KEYS
1446) Ephesians 4:11. [Christ] gave some to be . . . pastors and
teachers.
1447) Titus 1:5. The reason I left you in Crete was that you might
straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in
every town.
1448) 1 Peter 5:2. Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your
care, serving as overseers.
312. Our congregations have pastors because God
ordained that there should be leaders in the church.
(the office of the public ministry)
313. Who only may serve as pastors in our congregations?
1449) 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9. (God sets down specific qualifications that a pastor must have.)
1450) 1 Timothy 2:11-13. A woman should learn in quietness and
full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have
authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was
formed first, then Eve.
1451) 1 Corinthians 14:33,34,37. As in all the congregations of the
saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are
not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law
says. . . . what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
313a. Only men who have all the qualifications that
God has established may serve as pastors in our
congregations.
1452) Acts 20:28. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of
which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
1453) Acts 14:23. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in
each church [footnote: had elders elected].
313b. Only men whom the Holy Spirit has led the congregations to choose may serve as pastors in our congregations. (divine call)
314. From whom does a congregation get the authority
to call a pastor?
267
THE KEYS AND CONFESSION
1454) Matthew 16:19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
314. A congregation gets the authority from Christ to call a
pastor.
315. What do the believers in a congregation call their
pastor to do?
1455) Mark 16:15. Go into all the world and preach the good news to
all creation.
1456) 2 Timothy 4:2,5. Preach the Word . . . ; correct, rebuke and
encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. . . .
do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your
ministry.
1457) 1 Timothy 4:13. Until I come, devote yourself to the public
reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
315a. The believers in a congregation call their pastor to
preach and teach the Word of God publicly.
1458) Matthew 28:19. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.
1459) 1 Corinthians 11:24,25. This is my body . . . ; do this in remembrance of me. . . . This cup is the new covenant in my blood;
do this . . . in remembrance of me.
1460) 1 Corinthians 14:33,40. God is not a God of disorder but
of peace. . . . Everything should be done in a fitting and
orderly way.
315b. For the sake of order the believers in a congregation
also call their pastor to baptize and distribute Holy
Communion.
1461) Matthew 18:18. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound
in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed
in heaven.
1462) 1 Timothy 5:20. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so
that the others may take warning.
268
PUBLIC USE OF THE KEYS
315c. The believers in a congregation also call their pastor to
use the binding and loosing keys publicly.
316. How will a Christian congregation with its called
pastor use the binding key?
1463) Matthew 18:17. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the
church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him
as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
1464) 1 Corinthians 5:4,5,13. When you are assembled in the name
of our Lord Jesus . . . , hand this man over to Satan, so that the
sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day
of the Lord. . . . Expel the wicked man from among you.
316. A Christian congregation with its called pastor will
use the binding key to exclude from the congregation
those who are plainly impenitent that they may repent.
(excommunication)
NOTE: See Question 308 for the reason why the use of the
binding key in excommunication is an act of love,
not hatred.
317. How will a Christian congregation with its called
pastor use the loosing key?
1465) 2 Corinthians 2:6-8,10. The punishment inflicted on him by
the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to
forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed
by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your
love for him. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him . . . in
the sight of Christ for your sake.
1466) Matthew 3:8. Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
317a. A Christian congregation with its called pastor will
use the loosing key to forgive and welcome back an
excommunicated person who repents of his sin and is
willing to amend.
1467) Isaiah 40:1,2. Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her . . . that she
has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.
269
THE OFFICE
of the
PUBLIC MINISTRY
ordained
by
God
(not just
a
human
custom)
the minister
must be
to minister
publicly
— qualified
—
— called
— the Word
— and
— sacraments
— the binding
— and
— loosing
— keys
“SERVANTS OF
CHRIST”
270
PUBLIC USE OF THE KEYS
1468) 1 Thessalonians 2:11,12. You know that we dealt with each of
you as a father deals with his own children . . . , comforting
. . . you.
317b. A Christian congregation asks its called pastor to use
the loosing key to announce God’s forgiveness publicly in our worship services and also privately to individuals. (absolution)
318. How valid and certain is this public use of the keys
by a congregation with its called pastor?
1469) Matthew 18:18,20. I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on
earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth
will be loosed in heaven. For where two or three come together
in my name, there am I with them.
1470) 1 Corinthians 5:4,5. When you are assembled in the name of
our Lord Jesus . . . and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,
hand this man over to Satan.
1471) 1 Corinthians 4:1. Men ought to regard us as servants of Christ
and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.
318. The public use of the keys by a congregation with its
called pastor is as valid and certain in heaven also, as
if Christ, our dear Lord, dealt with us himself.
Other Forms of the Holy Ministry
In the preceding questions we took note of only one form of
the holy ministry, namely, the office of a pastor. However, we
noted in Question 312 that God has ordained the public ministry in the church. The passages quoted mention evangelists,
teachers, elders, and overseers (bishops) in addition to pastors.
Another office mentioned in the New Testament is that of deacon (1 Timothy 3:8).
From this we can see that God did not establish only one
office of the public ministry, but he gave believers the liberty
to set up various offices to meet whatever needs they may
have (see Acts 6:1-7). A congregation may have only one
person serving in the public ministry, a pastor. Or a congre271
THE KEYS AND CONFESSION
gation may have many serving them: one or more pastors,
teachers, elders, evangelists, vicars, etc.
What God says about those who are pastors is true of all
others who serve in the public ministry: (1) They must have
the qualifications that God has established for those who
serve in the church (see Answer 313a); and (2) no one may
serve in the public ministry without a call by the Holy Spirit
through the congregation (see Answer 313b). Each will serve
according to what the congregation called him to do. A
woman may be called to serve in any office where she is not
required to exercise authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12).
When congregations join in an association or a synod to do
such work as Christian education or mission work (see Question 246), they will call people to serve as professors, chaplains, missionaries, administrators, etc. Each will be serving
in his call to meet the special needs of the association of
congregations or the synod.
Whatever the form of the ministry, all who serve are called
by the Holy Spirit through a group of believers to do the
Lord’s work.
272
CONFESSION
First: What is confession?
Confession has two parts. The one is that we
confess our sins; the other, that we receive
absolution or forgiveness from the pastor as
from God himself, not doubting but firmly
believing that our sins are thus forgiven before
God in heaven.
Second: What sins should we confess?
Before God we should plead guilty of all sins,
even those we are not aware of, as we do in
the Lord’s Prayer.
But before the pastor we should confess only
those sins which we know and feel in our
hearts.
Third: How can we recognize these sins?
Consider your place in life according to the
Ten Commandments. Are you a father,
mother, son, daughter, employer, or employee?
Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy?
Have you hurt anyone by word or deed? Have
you been dishonest, careless, wasteful, or done
other wrong?
Fourth: How will the pastor assure a penitent
sinner of forgiveness?the
He will say, “By the authority of Christ, I forgive you your sins in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
273
THE KEYS AND CONFESSION
319. What is the first part of confession?
1472) Psalm 32:5. I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover
up my iniquity.
1473) Luke 15:21. The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against
heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called
your son.”
1474) Psalm 51:3,4. I know my transgressions, and my sin is always
before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what
is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you
speak and justified when you judge.
319. The first part of confession is that we admit that we are
sinners who deserve God’s punishment.
320. Why do we confess our sins?
1475) Joshua 7:19. (Joshua urged Achan to confess his sin.)
1476) Ezra 10:11. Now make confession to the LORD, the God of your
fathers, and do his will.
1477) James 5:16. Therefore confess your sins to each other.
320a. We confess our sins because God in his Word urges us
to do this.
1478) James 5:15,16. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore
confess your sins to each other.
1479) 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and
will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
320b. We confess our sins because we know and believe
there is forgiveness for our sins.
321. What does God want us to say when we confess our
sins to him?
1480) Psalm 51:5. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time
my mother conceived me.
1481) Isaiah 64:6. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and
all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.
1482) James 2:10. Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at
just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
1483) Psalm 19:12. Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden
faults.
274
CONFESSION
321a. God wants us to confess our complete sinfulness: both
that we are sinful by nature and that we have sinned
against him in thought, word, and deed.
1484) Isaiah 59:12. Our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins
testify against us.
1485) Isaiah 59:2. Your iniquities have separated you from your God.
1486) Romans 3:12. All have turned away, they have together
become worthless.
1487) Romans 6:23. The wages of sin is death.
321b. God wants us to confess that our sins have separated
us from him and that we deserve only death.
322. How does God lead us to confess our sins?
1488) Romans 3:19,20. Whatever the law says, it says to those who
are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced. . . .
through the law we become conscious of sin.
1489) Romans 7:7. I would not have known what sin was except
through the law. For I would not have known what coveting
really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
1490) Romans 7:19,24. What I do is not the good I want to do; no,
the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. What a
wretched man I am!
1491) Psalm 38:3-6,18. Because of your wrath there is no health in
my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. My
guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My
wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I
am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about
mourning. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
322. God uses his law to lead us to know and feel our sins,
so that we confess them.
323. What is the second part of confession?
1492) 2 Samuel 12:1-13. (When David confessed his sin, Nathan
announced God’s forgiveness to him.)
1493) Psalm 32:5. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the
LORD”—and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
1494) Proverbs 28:13. He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but
whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
275
THE KEYS AND CONFESSION
1495) 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and
will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1496) 2 Corinthians 2:7. You ought to forgive and comfort him, so
that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
1497) Matthew 9:2. Jesus . . . said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son;
your sins are forgiven.”
323. The second part of confession is hearing the comforting announcement that our sins are forgiven.
(absolution)
324. When does our pastor make this comforting
announcement to us regularly?
1498) Psalm 32:5. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the
LORD”—and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
1499) John 20:22,23. He [Jesus] breathed on them and said, “. . . If
you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven.”
324. Our pastor makes this comforting announcement
to us regularly in our worship services when he says,
“By the authority of Christ, I forgive you your sins
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.”
325. When is it helpful for us to make a private confession to our pastor?
1500) Psalm 38:4. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too
heavy to bear.
1501) 1 Thessalonians 2:11,12. You know that we dealt with each
of you as a father deals with his own children, . . . comforting
. . . you.
1502) 2 Timothy 4:2. Correct, rebuke and encourage—with great
patience and careful instruction.
1503) Titus 1:9. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message
as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by
sound doctrine.
325. It is helpful for us to make a private confession to our
pastor when we seek assurance of forgiveness for a sin
that especially troubles the conscience.
276
CONFESSION
ADMIT SIN
AND GUILT
HEAR THE
COMFORTING
MESSAGE OF
FORGIVENESS
to
from
1. God
1. God in his Word
2. Pastor
2. Pastor
3. Fellow Christian
3. Fellow Christian
277
THE KEYS AND CONFESSION
326. How will we receive the absolution spoken by our
pastor?
1504) Matthew 16:19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven; . . . whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven.
326. We will receive the absolution from our pastor as from
God himself, believing that our sins are thus forgiven
before God in heaven.
327. When does God want us to confess a sin to a fellow
Christian?
1505) James 5:16. Confess your sins to each other.
1506) Matthew 5:23,24. If you are offering your gift at the altar and
there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
1507) Luke 15:21. Father, I have sinned against heaven and against
you.
327. God wants us to confess a sin to a fellow Christian
when we do something wrong against him.
328. How will we receive the absolution spoken by a fellow Christian?
1508) Matthew 16:19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven; . . . whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven.
328. We will receive the absolution spoken by a fellow
Christian as from God himself, believing that our sins
are thus forgiven before God in heaven.
278
The
Lord’s Prayer
PRAYER
329. What is prayer?
1509) Daniel 9:3,19. I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him
in prayer. . . . “O Lord, listen! . . . O Lord, hear and act!”
1510) Matthew 15:8,9. These people honor me with their lips, but
their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain.
329. Prayer is an act of worship in which we speak to God
from our hearts.
330. Whose prayers does God hear?
1511) Isaiah 1:15. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will
hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will
not listen.
1512) Hebrews 11:6. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
1513) John 16:23. My Father will give you whatever you ask in
my name.
1514) 1 Peter 3:12. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his
ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is
against those who do evil.
330. God hears only the prayers of those who are acceptable to him by faith in Jesus. (This is what it means to
pray in Jesus’ name.)
331. What kinds of prayers may a believer bring to
God?
1515) 1 Timothy 2:1. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.
1516) Philippians 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God.
280
PRAYER
is
WORSHIP
in which
BELIEVERS
may
ASK
THANK
or
GOD
for
anything
or
anyone
anytime
anywhere
in
any
fitting
words
281
THE LORD’S PRAYER
331. A believer may bring prayers of request or thanksgiving to God about anyone or anything.
332. When and where may a believer pray?
1517) 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Pray continually.
1518) Ephesians 6:18. Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all
kinds of prayers and requests.
1519) Matthew 6:6. When you pray, go into your room, close the
door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.
1520) 1 Timothy 2:8. I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in
prayer.
1521) Matthew 28:20. Surely I am with you always.
332. A believer may pray at any time and anywhere.
333. With what words may a believer pray?
1522) 1 Samuel 1:10-16. (Hannah poured out her soul to God in her
own words.)
333a. A believer may pray using his own words.
1523) Luke 11:1. (John taught his disciples to pray.)
1524) Hosea 14:2. Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say
to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously.”
333b. A believer may pray using words that are given to him
by another person.
1525) Matthew 6:7,9-13. When you pray, do not keep on babbling
like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their
many words. . . . This . . . is how you should pray: “Our Father
in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your
will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily
bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
the evil one.”
333c. A believer will surely use the words of the short prayer
that Jesus gave us as a model. (the Lord’s Prayer)
282
THE ADDRESS
Our Father in heaven.
What does this mean?
With these words God tenderly invites us to
believe that he is our true Father and that we
are his true children, so that we may pray to
him as boldly and confidently as dear children ask their dear father.
334. What does Jesus want us to remember when he
tells us to address God as “Our Father in
heaven”?
1526) Galatians 3:26. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus.
1527) Galatians 4:4,5. God sent his Son, born of a woman, born
under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive
the full rights of sons.
1528) 1 John 3:1. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
334. When Jesus tells us to address God as “Our Father in
heaven,” he wants us to remember that by faith God is
our true Father and that we are his true children.
335. Why does Jesus want us to remember the relationship we have with God by faith?
1529) Romans 8:15. You did not receive a spirit that makes you a
slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And
by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
1530) Ephesians 3:12. In him and through faith in him we may
approach God with freedom and confidence.
1531) Matthew 7:9-11. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will
give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a
283
FATHER
BY FAITH
IN
JESUS
PRAY BOLDLY
AND
CONFIDENTLY
we are
because
we are
GOD’S CHILDREN
GOD’S CHILDREN
ADDRESS
“Heavenly Father,
we are your
dear children!”
284
THE ADDRESS
snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father
in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
335. Jesus wants us to remember the relationship we have
with God by faith, so that we feel free to pray to our
heavenly Father as boldly and confidently as dear children ask their dear father.
336. In the Address, then, how does Jesus teach us
to pray?
336. In the Address, Jesus teaches us to pray boldly and
confidently.
285
THE FIRST PETITION
Hallowed be your name.
What does this mean?
God’s name is certainly holy by itself, but
we pray in this petition that we too may keep
it holy.
How is God’s name kept holy?
God’s name is kept holy when his Word is
taught in its truth and purity and we as children of God lead holy lives according to it.
Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But
whoever teaches and lives contrary to God’s
Word dishonors God’s name among us. Keep
us from doing this, dear Father in heaven!
337. What is God’s name?
1532) Isaiah 42:8. I am the LORD; that is my name!
1533) Matthew 1:21. You are to give him the name Jesus.
1534) Exodus 34:5-7. The LORD . . . proclaimed his name, . . . “The
LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to
anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to
thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he
does not leave the guilty unpunished.”
1535) John 17:6,8. I have revealed you. . . . For I gave them the words
you gave me.
337. God’s name is his titles and everything else he has
revealed to us about himself in his word.
338. Why can’t we make God’s name holy?
1536) Psalm 103:1. Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being,
praise his holy name.
286
FIRST PETITION
1537) Romans 1:2. He promised . . . through his prophets in the Holy
Scriptures.
1538) Revelation 3:7. These are the words of him who is holy and true.
338. We can’t make God’s name holy because his name as
it is revealed in his Word is holy in itself.
339. How do we keep God’s name holy?
1539) Psalm 48:10. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to
the ends of the earth.
1540) John 17:17. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
1541) Jeremiah 23:28. Let the one who has my word speak it faithfully.
1542) Deuteronomy 4:2. Do not add to what I command you and do
not subtract from it.
339a. We keep God’s name holy by teaching his Word in its
truth and purity.
1543) Ephesians 3:14,15; 4:1. I kneel before the Father, from whom
his whole family in heaven and earth derives its name. . . . I
urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
1544) Matthew 5:14,16. You are the light of the world. . . . let your
light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and
praise your Father in heaven.
1545) 1 Corinthians 10:31. So whether you eat or drink or whatever
you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1546) 2 Thessalonians 1:11,12. We constantly pray for you, that our
God . . . may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act
prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our
Lord Jesus may be glorified in you.
339b. We keep God’s name holy when we as the children of
God lead holy lives according to his Word.
340. When is the name of God dishonored among us?
1547) Malachi 1:6-8; 2:7,8. (The priests despised God’s name by
teaching the people things that were contrary to God’s Word.)
1548) 2 Peter 2:1,2. There will be false teachers among you. . . .
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way
of truth into disrepute.
287
THE LORD’S PRAYER
340a. God’s name is dishonored among us when anyone
teaches contrary to God’s Word.
1549) Ezekiel 36:23. I will show the holiness of my great name,
which has been profaned among the nations, the name you
have profaned among them.
1550) 2 Samuel 12:7-14. (David’s sins gave the enemies of the Lord
an opportunity to despise God’s name.)
1551) Romans 2:23,24. You who brag about the law, do you dishonor
God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is
blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
340b. God’s name is dishonored among us when anyone
lives contrary to God’s Word.
341. What, then, are we praying in the First Petition?
341. In the First Petition we are praying that God would
help us teach and live his Word in the way which
keeps his name holy.
288
GOD’S
NAME
is
revealed
in
HIS WORD
Kept holy
Dishonored
1. By teaching
God’s Word
faithfully
1. By teaching
contrary to
God’s Word
2. By living
God’s Word
faithfully
2. By living
contrary to
God’s Word
FIRST PETITION
“Help us live and teach
your Word correctly!”
289
THE SECOND PETITION
Your kingdom come.
What does this mean?
God’s kingdom certainly comes by itself even
without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may also come to us.
How does God’s kingdom come?
God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly
Father gives his Holy Spirit, so that by his
grace we believe his holy Word and lead a
godly life now on earth and forever in heaven.
342. What is the kingdom of God about which we are
praying in this petition?
1552) Luke 17:20,21. Once, having been asked by the Pharisees
when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The
kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,
nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the
kingdom of God is within you.”
1553) John 18:36,37. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.
. . . I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this
I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the
side of truth listens to me.”
1554) John 10:3,4. He calls his own sheep by name . . . and his sheep
follow him because they know his voice.
1555) Colossians 3:15,16. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
. . . Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
342. The kingdom of God about which we are praying is
Christ’s rule in our hearts by his Word.
290
SECOND PETITION
343. How does this kingdom come to us?
1556) 1 Corinthians 12:3. No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by
the Holy Spirit.
1557) Romans 14:17. The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating
and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit.
1558) Romans 9:16. It does not . . . depend on man’s desire or effort,
but on God’s mercy.
1559) Romans 5:5. God has poured out his love into our hearts by the
Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
343. The kingdom of God does not come by what we do,
but it comes by itself when our heavenly Father in his
grace gives us his Holy Spirit.
344. Why do we pray for Christ to rule in our hearts?
1560) Matthew 11:28-30. Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
1561) John 8:31,32. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said,
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then
you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
1562) Romans 14:17. The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and
drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
344a. We pray for Christ to rule in our hearts because by
his Word we learn to know and believe the truth of
our salvation.
1563) 2 Corinthians 5:15,17. He died for all, that those who live
should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for
them and was raised again. . . . if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
1564) Galatians 2:20. Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I
live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me.
1565) Colossians 3:3,4. Your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will
appear with him in glory.
291
THE LORD’S PRAYER
344b. We pray for Christ to rule in our hearts because he
enables us to lead a godly life now on earth and forever in heaven.
345. Why do we continue to pray for God’s kingdom
to come even though Christ already rules in our
hearts?
1566) Mark 9:24. I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!
1567) 2 Peter 3:17,18. Since you already know this, be on your guard
so that you may not . . . fall from your secure position. But grow
in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
345a. We continue to pray for God’s kingdom to come
because we want God to increase Christ’s rule in our
hearts by strengthening our faith.
1568) John 10:16. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I
must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and
there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
345b. We continue to pray for God’s kingdom to come
because we want God to extend Christ’s rule to the
hearts of many others who are not yet Christians.
(prayer for missions)
346. What, then, are we praying in the Second Petition?
346. In the Second Petition we are praying that our heavenly
Father would send his holy spirit, so that Christ may
rule in our hearts and in the hearts of many others.
292
GOD’S
KINGDOM
which comes
is
CHRIST’S
RULE
(in our hearts)
established
results
in our hearts
in our believing
the Word of
Salvation
by the Holy Spirit
and
through the Word
living a life
devoted to
Christ
SECOND PETITION
“Send the Holy Spirit to strengthen
Christ’s rule in our hearts
and to spread that rule!”
293
THE THIRD PETITION
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
What does this mean?
God’s good and gracious will certainly is
done without our prayer, but we pray in this
petition that it may be done among us also.
How is God’s will done?
God’s will is done when he breaks and
defeats every evil plan and purpose of the
devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, which
try to prevent us from keeping God’s name
holy and letting his kingdom come. And God’s
will is done when he strengthens and keeps us
firm in his Word and in the faith as long as we
live. This is his good and gracious will.
347. What is God’s good and gracious will?
1569) Mark 16:15. Go into all the world and preach the good news to
all creation.
1570) Jeremiah 23:28. Let the one who has my word speak it faithfully.
347a. God’s good and gracious will is that his Word be taught
in its truth and purity to all people. (See Answer 339a.)
1571) John 6:40. My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the
Son and believes in him shall have eternal life.
1572) 1 Timothy 2:3,4. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of
the truth.
347b. God’s good and gracious will is that all people believe
in Jesus and be saved. (See Answers 343 and 344a.)
294
THIRD PETITION
1573) 1 Thessalonians 4:1,3. We instructed you how to live in order to
please God. . . . It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.
1574) 1 Peter 2:15. It is God’s will that by doing good you should
silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
347c. God’s good and gracious will is that we should live a
holy life. (See Answer 339b.)
348. How is God’s will done in heaven and on earth?
1575) Psalm 103:20. Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty
ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
1576) Matthew 18:10. I tell you that their angels in heaven always
see the face of my Father in heaven.
348a. In heaven God’s will is always done by the angels.
1577) Psalm 115:3. Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases
him.
1578) Ephesians 1:11. [God] works out everything in conformity
with the purpose of his will.
348b. On earth God’s will is done just as he plans it, even if
we do not pray for it.
349. Who tries to prevent us from keeping God’s name
holy and letting his kingdom come?
1579) Matthew 4:1-11. (The devil tempted Jesus to lead him into sin,
so that he could not be our Savior.)
1580) 1 Thessalonians 2:18. We wanted to come to you . . . but Satan
stopped us.
1581) Matthew 18:7. Woe to the world because of the things that
cause people to sin!
1582) James 4:4. Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world
becomes an enemy of God.
1583) Galatians 5:17. The sinful nature desires what is contrary to
the Spirit.
1584) Romans 8:8. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot
please God.
349. The devil, the world, and our sinful nature (flesh) try
to prevent God’s will from being done.
295
THE LORD’S PRAYER
350. How do the devil, the world, and our sinful nature
(flesh) constantly try to prevent God’s will from
being done on earth?
1585) Genesis 3:1-6. (The devil led Adam and Eve into sin by leading them to doubt God’s Word.)
1586) 2 Corinthians 11:3. I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived
by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led
astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
1587) 2 Corinthians 4:4. The god of this age has blinded the minds of
unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of
the glory of Christ.
1588) 1 John 3:8. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because
the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
1589) 1 Peter 5:8. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring
lion looking for someone to devour.
350a. The devil tries to prevent God’s will from being done
by leading people astray from God’s Word, so that
they live in unbelief and sin.
1590) 1 John 2:15,16. Do not love the world or anything in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the
lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—
comes not from the Father but from the world.
1591) Luke 8:14. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those
who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s
worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
1592) Luke 22:54-61. (Peter’s fear of Christ’s enemies led him to
deny Jesus.)
1593) 1 Corinthians 15:33. Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
350b. The people and things of the world try to prevent
God’s will from being done by leading people to
ignore, forget, or deny Jesus.
1594) Romans 8:7. The sinful mind is hostile to God.
1595) Romans 7:19,25. What I do is not the good I want to do; no,
the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. . . . in the
sinful nature [I am] a slave to the law of sin.
296
THIRD PETITION
1596) Galatians 5:17,19-21. The sinful nature desires what is contrary
to the Spirit. . . . The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
350c. The sinful nature (flesh) of all people tries to prevent
God’s will from being done by promoting a hatred of
God’s word and an enjoyment of sin.
351. How can God’s will be done among us?
1597) 1 John 3:8. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy
the devil’s work.
1598) Psalm 17:14. O LORD, by your hand save me from such men,
from men of this world whose reward is in this life.
1599) John 16:33. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world.
1600) Romans 6:6. We know that our old self was crucified with him
so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we
should no longer be slaves to sin.
351a. God’s will can be done among us only when God
breaks and defeats every evil plan and purpose of the
devil, the world, and our sinful nature (flesh).
1601) James 4:7. Submit yourselves . . . to God. Resist the devil, and
he will flee from you.
1602) 1 Peter 5:8,9. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing
firm in the faith.
1603) 2 Peter 2:20. They have escaped the corruption of the world by
knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
1604) Galatians 6:14. May I never boast except in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified
to me, and I to the world.
1605) 1 Peter 5:10. The God of all grace . . . will . . . make you strong,
firm and steadfast.
1606) Ephesians 6:10-18. (The only way to stand firm in faith is by
the power that God supplies when we put on his full armor.)
297
THE LORD’S PRAYER
1607) 1 Peter 1:5. [You] through faith are shielded by God’s power
until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in
the last time.
351b. God’s will can be done among us only when God
strengthens and keeps us firm in his Word and in the
faith as long as we live.
352. What, then, are we praying in the Third Petition?
352. In the Third Petition we are praying that God’s good
and gracious will be done rather than the will of the
devil, the world, and our sinful nature (flesh).
298
GOD’S
WILL
GOSPEL
PREACHED
PURELY
ALL PEOPLE
BELIEVE
IN JESUS
LIVE A
HOLY
LIFE
opposed by
Devil, World, Sinful Nature
but
GOD
breaks and
defeats
them
strengthens
and keeps us
firm
THIRD PETITION
“Let your saving plan be done
rather than the plans of
the unholy three!”
299
THE FOURTH PETITION
Give us today our daily bread.
What does this mean?
God surely gives daily bread without our
asking, even to all the wicked, but we pray in
this petition that he would lead us to realize
this and to receive our daily bread with
thanksgiving.
What, then, is meant by daily bread?
Daily bread includes everything that we need
for our bodily welfare, such as food and
drink, clothing and shoes, house and home,
land and cattle, money and goods, a godly
spouse, godly children, godly workers, godly
and faithful leaders, good government, good
weather, peace and order, health, a good
name, good friends, faithful neighbors, and
the like.
353. What is meant by daily bread?
1608) Psalm 37:25,26. I was young and now I am old, yet I have
never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging
bread. They are always generous and lend freely.
1609) Psalm 145:15,16. The eyes of all look to you, and you give
them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
1610) James 2:15,16. Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes
and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well;
keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical
needs, what good is it?
1611) Philippians 4:19. My God will meet all your needs.
300
FOURTH PETITION
353. By daily bread is meant food and all the other things
that God promises to give us for our bodily needs.
354. To whom does God give daily bread?
1612) Psalm 145:15,16. The eyes of all look to you, and you give
them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
1613) Matthew 5:45. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the
good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
1614) Matthew 6:8. Your Father knows what you need before you
ask him.
354. God gives daily bread to all without their asking, even
to all the wicked.
355. What does Jesus teach us Christians by this
petition?
1615) James 1:17. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming
down from the Father of the heavenly lights.
1616) 1 Peter 5:7. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares
for you.
1617) Romans 8:32. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him
up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously
give us all things?
355a. Jesus teaches us to realize that everything we receive
for our bodily needs is a gracious gift of our heavenly
Father.
1618) Philippians 4:6. With thanksgiving, present your requests
to God.
1619) Psalm 118:1. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; his love
endures forever.
355b. Jesus teaches us to receive all our bodily needs with
thanksgiving.
356. Why does Jesus teach us to ask for bread for only
today?
301
THE LORD’S PRAYER
1620) Matthew 6:25-34. (Like the birds and the lilies, God wants us
to trust him to supply our bodily needs each day and not to
worry about tomorrow.)
1621) 1 Peter 5:7. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares
for you.
1622) James 4:13-15. Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow
we will . . . carry on business and make money.” Why, you do
not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live
and do this or that.”
1623) Luke 11:3. Give us each day our daily bread.
356. By teaching us to ask for bread for only today, Jesus
teaches us to trust God to supply what we need each
day and not to worry about the future.
357. What, then, are we praying in the Fourth Petition?
357. In the Fourth Petition we are asking our heavenly
Father to provide our bodily needs day by day.
302
DAILY
BREAD
is
all our
bodily needs
God’s
gracious
gift
Received
by us
with
thanksgiving
Which we
trust God
to supply
each day
FOURTH PETITION
“Provide our bodily needs
day by day!”
303
THE FIFTH PETITION
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who
sin against us.
What does this mean?
We pray in this petition that our Father in
heaven would not look upon our sins or
because of them deny our prayers; for we are
worthy of none of the things for which we ask,
neither have we deserved them, but we ask
that he would give them all to us by grace; for
we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing
but punishment.
So we too will forgive from the heart and
gladly do good to those who sin against us.
358. What do we mean by sins?
1624) Matthew 6:14,15. If you forgive men when they sin against you,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not
forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
1625) Luke 11:4. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone
who sins against us.
358. By sins we mean everything we have said, thought, or
done wrong.
359. What do we know is true about ourselves because
of our sins?
1626) Isaiah 59:2. Your iniquities have separated you from your
God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will
not hear.
1627) 1 Samuel 6:20. Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this
holy God?
304
FIFTH PETITION
1628) Romans 3:10,12. There is no one righteous, not even one. . . .
All have turned away, they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good, not even one.
1629) Genesis 32:10. I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant.
359a. Because of our sins, we know that we are worthy of
none of the things for which we ask.
1630) Isaiah 59:12. Our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins
testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we
acknowledge our iniquities.
1631) Colossians 3:25. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for
his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
1632) Romans 6:23. The wages of sin is death.
359b. Because we daily sin much, we know that we deserve
nothing from God but punishment.
360. What are we asking when we pray for forgiveness?
1633) Psalm 51:1,2,9. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your
unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out
my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse
me from my sin. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all
my iniquity.
1634) Ephesians 4:32. Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
360a. When we pray for forgiveness, we are asking God for
Jesus’ sake not to look upon our sins.
1635) Psalm 55:1,2. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my
plea; hear me and answer me.
1636) Psalm 66:20. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
1637) Psalm 69:16. Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your
love; in your great mercy turn to me.
1638) Isaiah 30:19. How gracious he will be when you cry for help!
As soon as he hears, he will answer you.
305
THE LORD’S PRAYER
360b. We are also asking God not to deny our prayers
because of our sin but in his grace to give us all the
things we ask for.
361. How do we show our thanks for God’s forgiveness?
1639) Genesis 50:15-21. (Joseph forgave his brothers and gladly provided for them.)
1640) Ephesians 4:32. Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
1641) Matthew 18:32-35. “I canceled all that debt of yours because
you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” In anger his master turned
him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back
all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of
you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.
1642) Luke 6:33,35,36. If you do good to those who are good to you,
what credit is that to you? . . . But love your enemies, do good
to them. . . . Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
361. We show our thanks for God’s forgiveness as we forgive from the heart and gladly do good to those who
sin against us.
362. What, then, are we praying in the Fifth Petition?
362. In the Fifth Petition we are praying that God in his
grace would forgive all our sins and also lead us to forgive anyone who sins against us.
306
FORGIVENESS
assures us
means
GOD
GRACIOUSLY
WIPES ALL OUR
SINS AWAY FOR
JESUS’ SAKE
GOD
GRACIOUSLY
GIVES ALL THAT
WE ASK HIM
IN PRAYER
Moves us
to forgive all
who sin against us
FIFTH PETITION
“Graciously cancel our debt of sin
and lead us to do the same!”
307
THE SIXTH PETITION
Lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean?
God surely tempts no one to sin, but we pray in
this petition that God would guard and keep
us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh
may not deceive us or lead us into false belief,
despair, and other great and shameful sins;
and though we are tempted by them, we pray
that we may overcome and win the victory.
363. What is meant by temptation?
1643) James 1:14,15. Each one is tempted when, by his own evil
desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown,
gives birth to death.
1644) Genesis 3:1-6. (Eve was deceived into false belief by
the devil.)
1645) 1 Thessalonians 3:5. When I could stand it no longer, I sent to
find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the
tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have
been useless.
363a. By temptation is meant any situation in which a person may be deceived or led astray into false belief.
1646) Matthew 27:3-5. (Judas was enticed to betray Jesus for money
and then despaired of forgiveness.)
1647) 2 Corinthians 2:7. Forgive and comfort him, so that he will not
be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
1648) Romans 8:35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
308
SIXTH PETITION
363b. By temptation is meant any situation in which a person may be led astray into despair.
1649) Proverbs 1:10; 6:25; 12:26; 23:31; 30:8,9. My son, if sinners
entice you, do not give in to them. Do not lust in your heart
after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked
leads them astray. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it
sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! . . . give me
neither poverty nor riches. . . . Otherwise, I may have too much
and disown you. . . . Or I may become poor and steal.
1650) 1 Timothy 6:9,10. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of
money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for
money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves
with many griefs.
363c. By temptation is meant any situation in which a person may be led astray into great and shameful sins.
364. Who deceives us or leads us astray by temptation?
1651) Revelation 12:9. The great dragon was hurled down—that
ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole
world astray.
1652) 1 John 2:16. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has
and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.
1653) 2 Peter 2:18. They mouth empty, boastful words and, by
appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they
entice people.
364. The devil, the world, and our sinful nature (flesh)
deceive us and lead us astray by temptation.
365. What do we know about our Father in heaven in
regard to temptation?
1654) James 1:13. When tempted, no one should say, “God is
tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does
he tempt anyone.
309
TEMPTATION
is
ANY SITUATION IN
WHICH WE ARE LED
by
Devil, World, Sinful Nature
to
false
belief
to
despair
to
great
or
shameful
sin
GOD
CAN
KEEP
TEMPTATIONS
AWAY
or
HELP US
OVERCOME
TEMPTATION
SIXTH PETITION
“Help us so we are not overcome by
situations which might lead us to sin!”
310
SIXTH PETITION
365. We know that our Father in heaven does not lead us
into temptation.
366. Why, then, do we ask our Father in heaven not to
lead us into temptation?
1655) Matthew 26:41. Watch and pray so that you will not fall into
temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
1656) 1 Corinthians 10:12,13. If you think you are standing firm, be
careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you
except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will
not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when
you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can
stand up under it.
1657) Hebrews 4:15. We have one who has been tempted in every
way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
1658) Hebrews 2:18. Because he himself suffered when he was
tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
1659) Romans 8:37-39. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that
neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the
present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
366. We ask this of our Father in heaven because he alone
has the power to guard and keep us from temptation
or to help us overcome and win the victory over
our temptations.
367. What, then, are we praying in the Sixth Petition?
367. In the Sixth Petition we are praying our heavenly
Father to lead us, so that we are not overcome by
any temptation.
311
THE SEVENTH PETITION
But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean?
In conclusion, we pray in this petition that
our Father in heaven would deliver us from
every evil that threatens body and soul, property and reputation, and finally when our last
hour comes, grant us a blessed end and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to
himself in heaven.
368. What is meant by evil?
1660) Genesis 1:31. God saw all that he had made, and it was very
good.
1661) Genesis 3:16-19,23,24. (By the fall into sin, paradise was lost,
and sorrow and suffering became part of life in the world.)
1662) Romans 8:22. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
1663) Galatians 1:4. [Jesus] gave himself for our sins to rescue us
from the present evil age.
368. By evil is meant all the bad things that are a part of our
life on earth as a result of Adam’s fall into sin.
369. How does the evil in the world affect our lives?
1664) Job 1:13-19; 2:7,11-13; 17:1; 19:13-20. (The suffering in Job’s
life included loss of his property and children, sickness that
weakened his body to the point of death, and alienation from
everyone.)
1665) Psalm 31:9-13. Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body
with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by
312
SEVENTH PETITION
groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my
bones grow weak. Because of all my enemies, I am the utter
contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends. . . . I
have become like broken pottery. . . . there is terror on every
side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.
1666) Acts 14:22. We must go through many hardships to enter the
kingdom of God.
369. The evil in the world brings many hardships into our
lives because evil threatens our bodies and souls, property and reputation.
370. What does God do about the evil in the world?
1667) Psalm 91:10. No harm will befall you, no disaster will come
near your tent.
1668) Psalm 121. (The Lord watches over us at all times to keep
harm away.)
370a. God keeps evil away from us.
1669) Genesis 45:4-8; 50:20. (God permitted Joseph’s brothers to
do evil to him, but eventually God turned it into good for all
of them.)
1670) Acts 2:23,36; 3:17,18. (God permitted the Jews to put Jesus to
death, but by this God fulfilled his promise to save all people.)
1671) Romans 8:28. We know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him.
1672) 2 Corinthians 4:17. Our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
370b. When God permits evil to come into our lives, he
makes it work for our good.
1673) 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. (Paul knew that whenever hardship
came into his life, God’s power would be at work to
strengthen him.)
1674) Psalm 94:17-19. Unless the LORD had given me help, I would
soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My
foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When
anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to
my soul.
313
EVIL
SATAN
GOD
1. Brought it into the
world by the Fall
1. Keeps it from us
2. Uses it to make
our lives hard
2. Permits it to
come but
— uses it for
our good
— helps us
bear it
3. Delivers us from it
completely in
heaven
SEVENTH PETITION
“Bring us safely through the
many hardships of life
to our heavenly home!”
314
SEVENTH PETITION
1675) 1 Peter 5:10. The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will
himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1676) Psalm 23. (especially verse 4) I will fear no evil, for you are
with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
370c. When God permits evil to come into our lives, he
strengthens and supports us so that we are able to
bear it.
371. When will God deliver us completely from all the
evil of this world?
1677) 2 Timothy 4:18. The Lord will rescue me from every evil
attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
1678) Numbers 23:10. Let me die the death of the righteous, and may
my end be like theirs!
1679) Philippians 1:23. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which
is better by far.
1680) Revelation 21:3,4. God himself will be with them and be their
God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no
more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of
things has passed away.
371. God will deliver us completely from all evil when he
grants us a blessed end and takes us from this world of
sorrow to himself in heaven.
372. What, then, are we praying in the Seventh Petition?
372. In the Seventh Petition we are asking our heavenly
Father to bring us safely through all the evil of this
world to our heavenly home.
315
THE DOXOLOGY
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are
yours now and forever. Amen.
What does this mean?
We can be sure that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven and are heard by
him, for he himself has commanded us to pray
in this way and has promised to hear us.
Therefore we say, “Amen. Yes, it shall be so.”
373. Why can we be sure that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven?
1681) Matthew 6:9. This is how you should pray: “Our Father in
heaven. . . .”
1682) Luke 11:2. He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be . . .’ ”
373a. We can be sure that these petitions are acceptable to
our Father in heaven because Jesus commanded us to
pray this way.
1683) 1 John 5:14. This is the confidence we have in approaching
God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1684) Matthew 6:33. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
373b. We can be sure that these petitions are acceptable to
our Father in heaven because in these petitions Jesus
teaches us to seek God’s kingdom first as God wants
us to.
1685) 1 Chronicles 29:11. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the
power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for
everything in heaven and earth is yours.
316
DOXOLOGY
373c. We can be sure that these petitions are acceptable to
our Father in heaven because when we ask anything
from him, we are giving all glory to God.
374. Why can we be sure that these petitions will be
heard by our Father in heaven?
1686) Romans 8:32. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave
him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
1687) Matthew 7:7,8. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you
will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him
who knocks, the door will be opened.
1688) John 14:13,14. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that
the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for
anything in my name, and I will do it.
1689) James 4:2,3. You do not have, because you do not ask
God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask
with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on
your pleasures.
374a. We can be sure that these petitions will be heard by
our Father in heaven because he promises to give us
everything we ask in Jesus’ name and to his glory.
1690) Exodus 7-11. (God showed his great power by delivering Israel
out of Egypt by ten mighty plagues.)
1691) Ephesians 3:20. [God] is able to do immeasurably more than
all we ask or imagine.
1692) Luke 1:37. Nothing is impossible with God.
374b. We can be sure that these petitions will be heard by
our heavenly Father because he has the power to do far
more than we ask.
375. Why do we close our prayers with the word
“Amen”?
1693) James 1:6,7. When he asks, he must believe and not doubt,
because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and
317
AMEN
EXPRESSES
CERTAINTY
that my
prayers
are
ACCEPTABLE
HEARD
to the
Father
because
by the
Father
because
1. He commanded us
to pray
1. He promised to
hear our prayers
2. We are praying
for his kingdom
and to his glory
2. We pray knowing
he has the
power to answer
our prayers
DOXOLOGY
“We are sure you will hear and answer
our prayers!”
318
DOXOLOGY
tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive
anything from the Lord.
375. We close our prayers with the word “Amen” because
we do not doubt but firmly believe that our Father in
heaven will hear and answer our prayers.
376. What, then, are we saying in the Doxology?
376. In the Doxology we are saying that we are sure our
Father in heaven will hear and answer these petitions.
319
CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS
For those preparing to receive the Lord’s Supper
1. Do you believe that you are a sinner?
Yes, I believe that I am a sinner.
2. How do you know this?
I know this from the Ten Commandments, which I have not kept.
3. Are you sorry for your sins?
Yes, I am sorry that I have sinned against God.
4. What have you deserved from God because of your sins?
I deserve his wrath and displeasure, temporal death, and eternal
damnation.
5. Are you convinced that you are saved?
Yes, such is my confidence.
6. In whom, then, do you trust?
I trust in my dear Lord Jesus Christ.
7. Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, true God and man.
8. How many Gods are there?
There is only one God; but there are three persons: Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit.
9. What has Christ done for you that you trust in him?
He died for me and shed his blood for me on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.
320
CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS
10. Did the Father also die for you?
He did not; for the Father is God only, the Holy Spirit likewise.
But the Son is true God and true man. He died for me and shed
his blood for me.
11. How do you know this?
I know this from the holy gospel and from the words of the
Sacrament of Holy Communion.
12. Which are those words?
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread;
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for
you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this,
whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
13. Do you believe, then, that the true body and blood of
Christ are in the Sacrament?
Yes, I believe it.
14. What moves you to believe this?
I am moved to believe this by the words of Christ, “Take and eat;
this is my body. . . . Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of
the new covenant.”
15. What does Christ want you to do when you eat his body
and drink his blood in the Lord’s Supper?
Christ wants me to remember and proclaim his death and the
pouring out of his blood as he taught me: “Do this, whenever you
drink it, in remembrance of me.”
16. Why does Christ want you to remember and proclaim his
death?
He wants me to do this so that (1) I learn to believe that no creature could make satisfaction for my sins, but only Christ, who is
321
CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS
true God and man, could and did do that; (2) I learn to look with
terror upon my sins and regard them as great indeed; (3) I find
joy and comfort in Christ alone and believe that I have salvation
through faith in him.
17. What moved him to die and make a complete payment for
your sins?
He was moved to do this by his great love for his Father and for
me and other sinners, as the Scriptures teach (John 14:31;
Romans 5:8; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:2).
18. Finally, why do you desire to receive Holy Communion?
I desire to do this so that I learn to believe that Christ out of great
love died for my sins and that I also learn of him to love God and
my neighbor.
19. What admonishes and moves you to receive Holy
Communion frequently?
The command and the promise of Christ my Lord admonishes
and moves me. Also, the burden of sin that lies heavy upon me
causes me to feel a hunger and thirst for Holy Communion.
20. But what can a person do if he is not aware of the burden
of sin and does not feel hunger and thirst for Holy
Communion?
To such a person no better advice can be given than that, in the
first place, he put his hand into his bosom and feel whether he
still has flesh and blood, and that he by all means believes what
the Scriptures say about this (Galatians 5:17,19-21; Isaiah 64:6;
Romans 7:18).
Secondly, that he look around to see whether he is still in the
world and keep in mind that there will be no lack of sin and
trouble, as the Scriptures say (John 15:18-25; Matthew 24:9-13;
Acts 14:22).
Thirdly, that person will certainly have the devil also about him.
With his lying and murdering, day and night, the devil will let
him have no peace. So the Scriptures picture the devil (John 8:44;
1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:10-12; 2 Timothy 2:26).
322
CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS
21. What can you do if you are sick and are unable to come to Holy
Communion?
Then I can send for my pastor to pray with me and to give me Holy
Communion privately.
22. When is the proper time to do this?
The time to do this is not only when death is at hand, but earlier before
all physical and mental power is gone.
23. Why would you want to do this?
I would want to do this to receive the assurance through Holy
Communion that my sins are forgiven and that salvation is mine.
323
APPENDIXES
325
GLOSSARY
—A—
Abba. The word for “father” in the
language of the Jews.
Abortion. The killing of an unborn
child.
Abound. To be plentiful; to exist in
large numbers or amounts.
Absolution. The announcement
after a confession of sins that
God has forgiven our sins
because Jesus died for them.
Absolution may be spoken publicly in a worship service or privately to an individual.
Admonish. To warn against or
point out a sin.
Adultery. Sexual intercourse with
someone other than the person
to whom one is married; impure
words or thoughts in respect to
sexual matters.
Advent. “Coming”; 1. the season
of the church year in which we
celebrate the coming of Christ
into the world as a man; 2. the
coming of Christ in Word and
sacrament; 3. the coming of
Christ on judgment day.
Alien. Stranger; foreigner.
Abstain. To hold oneself back from
doing something; to do without.
Alienate. To estrange; to make a
stranger of.
Acknowledge. To recognize the
authority or claims of someone;
to approve of someone or
something; to accept.
Amen. “Yes, it shall be so!” A
word used at the end of a
prayer to express confidence
that the prayer will be heard
and answered.
Active Obedience of Christ.
Christ’s fulfillment of the law by
keeping all the commandments
perfectly for all sinners.
Address. The first words of the
Lord’s Prayer, indicating to
whom the prayer is spoken.
Administrator. Someone who
directs an organization or a
department of an organization.
326
Angel. “Messenger”; a bodiless
spirit created by God to serve
him.
Anguish. Agony; intense pain or
distress.
Anoint. To pour oil on to show
that someone or something is
being set aside for the service of
God.
GLOSSARY
Apology. “Defense.” The Apology
is a booklet written by Melanchthon to defend the Augsburg
Confession.
Apostle. One of the special men
personally chosen and sent out
by Christ to preach the gospel.
Arrogance. Haughtiness; excessive
pride.
Ascension. Christ’s visible return
to heaven 40 days after his
resurrection.
Atone. To make a payment to
remove the guilt of sin so that
God will no longer be angry.
Atonement. A payment offered to
remove the guilt of sin so that
God and sinful man are reconciled (set at one). (See Vicarious
Atonement and Question 181.)
Attribute. A quality that is characteristic of a person.
Authority. The power and right to
do something.
—B—
Baal. The name of a false god of
the Canaanites.
Babble. To speak nonsense.
Baptism. The sacrament in which
water is used in the name of the
triune God to bring us into the
family of God.
Baptize. To use water by immersing, washing, pouring, or sprinkling (see Question 266).
Barren. Childless; unable to have
children.
Beatitudes. The blessings spoken
by Jesus in Matthew 5:3-12.
Believe. 1. To accept as true; 2. to
trust or rely upon.
Betray. 1. To hand over (a friend
to an enemy); 2. to reveal
(a secret).
Bible. God’s written Word; a collection of 66 books inspired by
God.
Binding Key. The power and right
given by Christ to his church to
refuse to forgive the sins of
those who are impenitent (see
Questions 307 and 308).
Birthright. The right of the firstborn son to receive a special
blessing or inheritance.
Bishop. Overseer; a church leader
who watches over a congregation.
Blaspheme. To speak of God in an
evil or disrespectful way.
Blessing. 1. Any good thing given
by God; 2. the words that
promise good things to be
given by God.
Born Again. Converted; having
begun the new life in Christ (see
Rebirth and Answer 223b).
—C—
Captivate. To hold the attention
of; to fascinate.
Catechism. A book of instruction
in the form of questions and
answers.
Celestial. Heavenly.
Centurion. A Roman army officer
in command of about one hundred soldiers.
327
APPENDIX
Ceremonial Law. That portion of
the law of Moses which
instructed the Israelites how to
worship God (see the narrative
following Question 23).
Chaplain. A minister who takes
care of the spiritual needs of
people in a special setting
(e.g., the armed forces, health
institutions).
Christ. “Anointed”; the name of
Jesus that refers to his office. In
Hebrew the word for “the
Anointed” is “Messiah.”
Christian. 1. Belonging to Christ
(adjective); 2. one who trusts in
Christ alone for salvation
(noun).
Church. 1. All those everywhere
who believe in Jesus as the
Savior (same as holy Christian
church, invisible church, communion of saints); 2. a group of
people who come together to
hear the gospel (visible church,
congregation, church body).
Church Fellowship. The sharing of
worship and church work by
which people express their unity
of faith (see Fellowship and
Question 246).
Circumcision. The cutting off of
the foreskin of the male sex
organ, which made an Old
Testament man a member of
God’s family and obligated him
to keep the Old Testament law.
Civil Law. That portion of the law
of Moses which governed the
Israelites as a nation. Since the
328
time of Christ, God no longer
requires that his church keep
this part of the law.
Code. A collection of laws.
Commend. 1. To praise for a job
well done; 2. to entrust or hand
over to someone for safekeeping.
Commune. To receive the Lord’s
Supper (see Communion).
Communicant. Someone who
receives the Lord’s Supper (see
Communion).
Communion. A coming together
or having something in common. The church is called the
communion of saints because
all believers are united by the
faith in Christ they have in common. The Lord’s Supper is called
Holy Communion because in it
Christians are joined to the Lord
and thus also to each other (see
Church; Holy Communion).
Compassion. Sorrow for another’s
distress and a desire to help.
Conceive. 1. To think or imagine;
2. to become pregnant.
Concord. Agreement; harmony.
Condemn. To judge someone
guilty of sin and deserving of
punishment.
Confess. 1. To admit that one has
sinned; 2. to tell what one
believes.
Confession. 1. An admission of
sin; 2. a statement of faith
(see the narrative following
Question 244).
GLOSSARY
Confirmation. A ceremony following instruction in which
Christians confess their faith and
are acknowledged as sufficiently
instructed to receive Holy
Communion.
Conform. To do something in a
way that has been determined
by someone else.
Conformity. Becoming or acting
like someone else in his way of
thinking and doing.
Congregation. A group of
Christians who unite for the
public worship of God.
Conscience. The voice God places
in us that bears witness to his
law (see Question 19).
Consecrate. To set aside for special use in the church.
Consolation. Comfort.
Covet. To desire something that
God does not want us to have
(see Question 117).
Crave. To desire intensely.
Create. To bring into existence; to
make.
Creation. 1. The act of making;
2. that which is made.
Credit. To list on the plus side of
an account. Faith in Christ is
credited to the sinner as righteousness, thus cancelling the
debt of sin.
Creed. A statement of what a person or group of people believes
and teaches (see narrative following Question 147).
Crucify. To put to death by hanging on a cross.
Curse. To use God’s name to wish
evil on someone or something.
Conspire. To plot together.
—D—
Contempt. Scorn; the feeling that
someone or something is bad or
worthless.
Damnation. Everlasting punishment in hell.
Contrition. Fear and sorrow
caused by a knowledge of one’s
sin.
Deacon. “Servant”; someone chosen by a congregation to serve
in the church, especially by
helping the needy.
Conversion. Turning from unbelief
to faith in Christ (see Answer
223a).
Convert. To turn from unbelief to
faith in Christ.
Corrupt. 1. To spoil or make bad
(verb); 2. morally bad or rotten
(adjective).
Covenant. A solemn agreement,
especially one in which God
promises to bless and save.
Debauchery. Giving in to sinful
sexual desires to an extreme
degree.
Deceive. To lead into sin or error
by telling lies.
Decree. A command made by a
ruler.
Defile. To
impure.
make
unclean
or
Deluge. To flood.
329
APPENDIX
Delusion. A false belief or opinion.
Demon. A fallen angel. The
demons are led by Satan in war
against God and his believers.
The demons are also called devils (see Question 168).
Desertion. The act of abandoning
or leaving when one should
stay; especially, the act of abandoning one’s marriage partner.
Despair. The sin of losing all hope
in God’s goodness.
Detest. To
intensely.
hate;
to
dislike
Devil. 1. The leader of the fallen
angels and chief enemy of God.
The devil’s name is Satan.
2. Any fallen angel. The devils
are also called demons (see
Question 168).
Discern. To recognize.
Disciple. One who follows in
order to learn; frequently used
of the twelve who followed
Jesus most closely during his
ministry. It can also be used of
any Christian.
Discipline. A rebuke and/or punishment given in love to a wrongdoer to turn that person away
from any further sinning (see
Questions 72, 73, and 316).
Discord. Disagreement; lack of
harmony.
Dismay. Fear or discouragement in
the face of trouble.
Disrepute. Dishonor; bad reputation.
Dissension. Quarreling.
330
Distort. To twist so as to misrepresent the truth.
Divination. The attempt to learn
hidden things or predict the
future by using supernatural
power.
Divine. Of God; having to do with
God.
Divine Call. The call a person
receives from a congregation or
group of congregations to serve
in the public ministry (see Questions 313-315 and the narrative
following Question 318).
Divisive. Causing division or disagreement.
Divorce. To end a marriage officially in a court of law.
Doctrine. A teaching.
Dominion. Rule; the power of a
lord to govern.
Doxology. An expression of praise
to God.
—E—
Easter. The festival of the church
year on which we celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus. As a matter
of church tradition, Easter is the
first Sunday on or after the first
full moon on or after March 21.
Elder. A man who is given certain
spiritual responsibilities in a congregation.
Element. A part of a whole. The
water in Holy Baptism and the
bread and wine in Holy Communion are called “earthly elements” because they are only a
GLOSSARY
part of what is received in the
sacrament.
our life on earth as a result of
Adam’s fall into sin.
Enlighten. To give light to; the
Holy Spirit enlightens people
by bringing them out of the
darkness of unbelief into the
light of faith (see Questions
224 and 225).
Exaltation of Christ. That part of
Christ’s ministry beginning with
his victorious descent into hell
when he again made full use of
his heavenly power and glory.
Enmity. Hatred; hostility.
Excommunication. The act of
excluding from the congregation those who are plainly
impenitent that they may
repent (see Question 316).
Entice. To lure or attract to commit sin.
Epiphany. 1. Christ’s appearance to
people as the Son of God and
Savior of the world; 2. the festival of the church year (January 6)
on which we celebrate Christ’s
appearance as God’s Son.
Epistle. A letter.
Esteem. To think highly of; to
respect.
Eternal. 1. Having no beginning or
end (God is eternal); 2. everlasting, having no end (eternal life,
eternal death).
Eternal Death. Eternal separation
from the blessings of God in the
torment of hell.
Eternal Life. Enjoyment of God’s
blessings eternally in heaven.
Eucharist. “Thanksgiving”; same
as Holy Communion.
Eunuch. A man who is physically
unable to father children.
Evangelist. 1. Someone who
shares the gospel with those
who have not heard it; 2. writer
of one of the four gospels.
Evil. 1. Moral badness; wickedness;
2. any bad thing that is part of
Exasperate. To make angry.
Exploit. To take advantage of.
Extol. To praise highly.
—F—
Faction. Strife; quarreling; dissension.
Faith. Trust; saving faith is trust in
the true God and in the salvation that Jesus won for us.
False Prophet. Someone who
claims to teach God’s Word but
whose teachings include doctrines that are not true (see
Question 12).
False Visible Churches. Groups
that teach or permit false doctrine but are still to be recognized as churches because Jesus
is taught as the Son of God and
the Savior of the world (see
Question 244).
Fasting. The practice of voluntarily
going without food for a certain
period of time.
Fear of God. 1. Being afraid of
God’s anger; 2. awe and respect
331
APPENDIX
for God and his commands as a
result of faith in him.
Fellowship. 1. Being united with
others in the same faith; 2. an act
of expressing this unity (e.g., by
worshiping or praying together,
doing mission work together,
etc.; see Question 246).
Firstfruits. That part of a crop
which is harvested first.
Fleeting. Passing swiftly; not
lasting.
Flesh. 1. The muscular tissue of a
body; 2. human nature; that
which makes up a human person; 3. same as Sinful Nature
(see Questions 126 and 127).
Folly. Foolishness, especially the
foolishness of disobeying God’s
law.
Forgiveness of Sins. “Forgiveness”; the state of being forgiven or pardoned for our sins.
God does not overlook our sins
as though they do not matter,
but he punished Jesus for them
instead of us and declares us
innocent. We receive this forgiveness through faith in Jesus.
Formula. A written statement of
doctrine.
Fraud. Getting the possessions of
others by dishonest dealing.
Fulfill. To bring to completion.
Jesus fulfilled the law by obeying
it perfectly. God fulfills his
promises and prophecies by carrying them out.
Futile. Useless; without benefit
or effect.
332
—G—
Gangrene. Decay of tissues that
starts in one part of the body
and spreads if left untreated.
Garland. Wreath.
Garment. An article of clothing.
Gentile. A non-Jew.
Glory. 1. Splendor of a very high
degree. “The glory of the Lord
shone around them” (Luke
2:9). 2. Adoring praise. “[Abraham] gave glory to God”
(Romans 4:20).
Godless. Without faith in the true
God.
Good Friday. The Friday before
Easter on which we observe the
death and burial of Jesus.
Good Works. Everything a believer
does according to God’s Word
out of love and thanks for all of
God’s goodness (see Questions
227-230).
Gospel. 1. The good news that
God in love sent Jesus to take
away the sins of all people;
2. one of the first four books of
the New Testament.
Grace. God’s undeserved love that
provides free forgiveness of sins,
life, and salvation for all people.
Gracious. Showing divine grace;
merciful.
Gradual. “A step”; in the order of
service, a response of praise
that leads from the Epistle to
the Gospel.
Guilt. The state of someone who
has done wrong and deserves to
be punished.
GLOSSARY
—H—
Hallow. To regard as holy.
Heaven. 1. The sky; 2. the place of
eternal life and perfect joy in the
presence of God.
Hell. The place of eternal death
and punishment where the devil
and his angels and all who die
as unbelievers are tormented.
Heresy. False doctrine.
Heritage. Something that is
passed on from one generation
to the next.
High Priest. The most important
of the priests. According to the
ceremonial law, only the high
priest could enter the Most Holy
Place on the Day of Atonement
and atone for the sins of the
nation. Jesus is our High Priest
because he atoned for the sins
of the world by offering himself
as a sacrifice (see Questions 180
and 181).
Holy. 1. Pure; sinless. “Be holy
because I, the LORD your God,
am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). 2. Set
apart for the holy God. “The
seventh day shall be your holy
day” (Exodus 35:2).
Holy Communion. The sacrament
in which the body and blood of
Jesus are given to us together
with bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins.
Holy Spirit. One of the three persons of the triune God; also
called Holy Ghost, Comforter,
Counselor, Paraclete.
Homosexuality. The sin of having
sexual relations with a person of
one’s own sex or of having a
desire for such relations.
Hope. A confident longing for the
things God has promised.
Hover. To remain in one place in
the air.
Humiliation of Christ. The first
part of Christ’s ministry, when
he usually chose not to make
full use of his heavenly power
and glory so that he might live
and die in a lowly way (see
Question 194).
Hypocrite. One who pretends to
be a believer but is not.
—I—
Idol. A false god, especially one
that is represented by a statue
or image.
Idolatry. The worship of a false
god (see Open Idolatry; Secret
Idolatry).
Image of God. The holiness and
knowledge of God’s will in
which Adam and Eve were created. The image of God was lost
through the fall into sin, but it is
restored through the work of
the Holy Spirit (see New Man
and Question 155).
Immanuel. “God with us”; one
of the names of Jesus (Matthew
1:23).
Immerse. To put completely into
water.
Immorality. That which is contrary
to the moral law.
333
APPENDIX
Impenitent. Not sorry for one’s
sins; not penitent.
Incarnation. The taking on of a
human nature by the Son of
God. In this way God became a
man. It refers to the conception
and birth of Jesus.
Inclination. A leaning or tendency; a liking or preference.
Indulge. To give in to desire.
Iniquity. “Failing to measure up
perfectly” to God’s law by
breaking one of his commandments.
Inner Being. Same as New Man
(see Question 130).
Inspiration. The miracle by which
God “breathed into” the
prophets and the apostles what
he wanted them to write in the
Bible. It is called verbal inspiration to show that God guided
them to use the exact words he
wanted them to write.
Institute. To establish; to found.
Intercede. To beg or plead in
behalf of others.
Intercourse. The bodily joining of
a man and a woman in sexual
relations.
Introit. In the order of service, an
opening psalm or opening sentences.
Invisible Church. The group consisting of all those everywhere
who believe in Jesus as their
Savior. They cannot be identified with absolute certainty
because only God can see faith
in the heart (see Question 239).
334
—J—
Justification. God’s declaration that
people are not guilty because
Jesus has paid for their sins (see
also Objective Justification; Subjective Justification).
Justify. To declare not guilty. This
word pictures a judge in a
courtroom who tells a criminal
that there is no longer any
charge against him (see Question 251).
—K—
Keys. The power and right given
by Christ to the church either to
forgive sins or to refuse to forgive sins (see also binding key;
loosing key).
Kingdom of God. Christ’s rule in
the hearts of his believers
through his Word.
—L—
Lavish. To give or bestow generously.
Law. 1. The commands that tell
people what God wants them to
do and not to do. 2. Sometimes
in the Bible the word “law”
refers to God’s Word in general,
even those parts that are not
commands.
Lent. The season of the church
year between the Epiphany season and Easter during which we
give special attention to Christ’s
suffering and death; also called
the passion season.
Lewdness. Indecency, lustfulness.
GLOSSARY
Loathsome. Disgusting.
Loosing Key. The power and right
given by Christ to the church to
forgive the sins of those who are
penitent (see Question 309).
Lord. When this word appears in
all capital letters, it stands for
Yahweh, the name of God that
emphasizes his grace and faithfulness to his promises.
Lord’s Supper. Same as Holy Communion.
Lord’s Table. Same as Holy Communion.
Lust. Sinful desire.
—M—
Malice. The desire to harm someone.
Marital. Having to do with marriage.
Maundy Thursday. “Thursday of
the Commandment” (John
13:34); the day on which we
observe the institution of the
Lord’s Supper.
Means of Grace. The gospel in
Word and sacraments by which
God offers and gives us the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation (see the narrative following
Question 264).
Mediator. One who serves as a gobetween or negotiator between
two parties.
Meditate. To think deeply.
Medium. Person through whom
one tries to communicate with
the dead or with evil spirits.
Mercy. God’s kindness in not pun-
ishing sinners as they deserve
but providing a Savior instead.
Mercy Death. A killing performed
to end pain when there is no
hope of recovery; also called
euthanasia.
Minister. “Servant”; especially
someone called to serve people
with the means of grace.
Ministry. The office or work of a
minister.
Miracle. A wonder or very unusual
happening brought about by
God beyond the natural order
of things.
Mission Work. The sharing of the
gospel with those who have not
heard it.
Missionary. A person who is sent
to preach the gospel, especially
to those who have not heard it.
Moral Law. God’s will for all people of all time; summarized in
the Ten Commandments and
the command to love (see
Questions 23 and 24).
Most Holy Place. Room in the
tabernacle or temple where the
ark of the covenant was kept
and where the high priest sprinkled blood once a year to make
payment for the sins of Israel.
Myth. A story or teaching that
seems to be historically true but
is actually made up by some
person.
—N—
Name of God. God’s titles and
everything else he has revealed
about himself in his Word.
335
APPENDIX
Natural Law. The law of God as it
is written on the hearts of all
people.
New Man. The new heart and
mind that God creates in us by
faith in Jesus. The new man
delights in doing God’s will and
fights against the sinful nature.
Also called New Person; New
Self; Inner Being; Spirit (see Question 130).
New Person. Same as New Man.
New Self. Same as New Man.
—O—
Oath. A promise to do something,
appealing to God as witness.
Observe. 1. To celebrate (a festival); 2. to keep or obey, such as
to observe the law.
Offense. 1. A sin; 2. something
that causes another believer to
stumble in faith.
Offering. A sacrifice
brought to God.
or
gift
Office. The work or service
assigned to someone. In the
church, the office of the public
ministry is the work that the
called ministers do. The office of
Christ is the whole work Christ
does as Prophet, High Priest,
and King.
Old Adam. The same as the Sinful
Nature. It is called the old
Adam because it is an inherited
condition going back to Adam
and Eve (see Questions 126
and 127).
Old Man. Same as Sinful Nature.
336
Old Self. Same as Sinful Nature.
Omen. A happening regarded as a
special sign foretelling the
future.
Omnipotent. Almighty; all-powerful; able to do all things.
Omnipresent.
places.
Present
in
all
Omniscient. All-knowing; knowing everything past, present,
and future.
Open Idolatry. To worship openly
someone or something other
than the triune God (see
Question 36).
Orgy. A wild, immoral party.
Original sin. The guilt and sinfulness inherited by all people as a
result of Adam’s fall into sin (see
also Sinful Nature).
—P—
Pagan. Unbeliever; heathen.
Palm Sunday. The festival of the
church year (the Sunday before
Easter) on which we celebrate
Jesus’ triumphal entry into
Jerusalem.
Parable. A story told to teach a
spiritual truth or lesson.
Paradise. 1. The Garden of Eden;
2. a name for heaven pictured
as a beautiful park.
Partake. To receive a portion,
especially of food.
Passion. 1. Suffering (e.g., the passion of Christ); 2. very strong
feeling (the passions of the sinful nature).
GLOSSARY
Passionate. Having very strong
feelings.
Passive Obedience of Christ.
Christ’s suffering of the penalties that we deserve for breaking
God’s law (see Answer 176b).
Passover. A yearly festival of the
ceremonial law in which the
Israelites sacrificed a lamb and
remembered how God had rescued the nation from slavery in
Egypt. The Passover lamb was a
sign pointing to Christ, the
Lamb of God.
Pastor. “Shepherd”; someone
called to serve a group of
Christians with the Word
of God.
Penitent. Being sorry for sin and
willing to stop sinning.
Pentecost. The festival of the
church year on which we celebrate the special outpouring of
the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples
50 days after Easter.
Perjurer. Someone who tells a lie
when he has sworn to tell the
truth.
Persecution. Troubles that the
unbelieving people of the world
cause for a Christian because
they are enemies of Christ.
Persevere. To continue in spite of
difficulties.
Perverse. Having a twisted mind
that is set upon wrongdoing.
Pervert. Someone whose sexual
desires are unnatural.
Petition. A request. Since there
are seven requests in the Lord’s
Prayer, we call them the seven
petitions.
Pharisee. A member of a Jewish
religious group who claimed to
keep more laws than the ones
God commanded and thought
that this made him right with
God.
Physical. Bodily; not spiritual.
Praise. To speak joyfully and admiringly about God’s goodness.
Prayer. An act of worship in which
we speak to God from our
hearts.
Prayer Fellowship. A way of
expressing unity in faith by
praying with others.
Precept. A command; a rule; a
teaching.
Preservation. God’s work of providing all that we need to keep
our body and life (see Questions
158-160).
Priest. 1. One who is permitted to
deal with God directly in prayer
and in the use of God’s Word
and sacraments (see Priesthood
of All Believers); 2. one who is
chosen to lead the people in
worship and to offer sacrifices
for them.
Priesthood of All Believers. The
priestly office held by all believers, which gives them the right
to pray to God directly and to
use his Word and sacraments
(see Question 305).
Profane. To treat something that
is holy with disrespect; to dishonor.
337
APPENDIX
Propers. The parts of the order of
service that change from Sunday to Sunday, such as the
Gradual, Introit, collect, and
Scripture readings.
Real Presence. The miraculous
presence of Jesus’ real body
with the bread and of his real
blood with the wine in Holy
Communion.
Prophecy. Any message from God
spoken or written by a prophet;
often a message foretelling the
future.
Realm. Kingdom.
Prophet. One who speaks a message from God.
Prostitute. A person who commits
sexual sins for pay.
Provision. A supply.
Prudent. Wise; having sound judgment.
Public Ministry. The teaching of
God’s Word and the administering of the sacraments by workers (pastors, teachers, and others) who have a divine call.
These workers act as representatives of the group of Christians
who called them (see Questions
312-315 and the narrative following Question 318).
—Q—
Quickening. Making alive; raising
from the dead. This is one way
to picture the miracle of faith
that the Holy Spirit works in us.
—R—
Rebirth. Being born again. This is
one way to picture the miracle
of faith that the Holy Spirit
works in us (see Answer 223b).
Rebuke. To scold someone for
doing wrong.
Reconcile. To restore someone to
peace and harmony with
another.
Reconciliation. The restoration of
peace between God and man as
a result of Christ’s death.
Redeem. To ransom; to buy back;
to pay a price in order to free
from slavery or captivity.
Redemption. Christ’s work of ransoming all people from the slavery of sin, death, and the devil
by paying the price of his blood,
suffering, and death.
Regeneration. Same as Rebirth.
Render. 1. To give; 2. to cause to
become; to make.
Renewal. The Holy Spirit’s work of
making us new by creating a
new man inside of us through
the gospel.
Radiant. Bright; shining.
Renounce. To give up; to intend to
have nothing to do with.
Ransom. 1. Payment given to free
people from captivity (noun);
2. to free from captivity by paying a price (verb).
Repentance. A “change of mind”
about one’s sin. The Bible uses
the word “repentance” in two
senses: 1. sorrow over sin and
338
GLOSSARY
desire to stop sinning; 2. sorrow
over sin and faith in the forgiveness of sins.
Repentant. Same as Penitent.
Resurrection. Coming to life after
death; refers especially to
Christ’s return to life on Easter
and to the raising of all the dead
on the Last Day.
Reveal. To “unveil”; to make
known something hidden.
Revenue. A country’s income from
taxes, which is used to pay public expenses.
Revile. To use bad language about
someone; to call bad names.
Righteous. Sinless; morally perfect.
Righteousness. Sinlessness; moral
perfection. God has righteousness and demands righteousness from us. Through faith in
Christ his righteousness is given
to us.
God’s Word, as a means of
offering, giving, and sealing to
us the forgiveness of sins and
thus also life and salvation.
Sacrament of the Altar. Same as
Holy Communion.
Sacrifice. The killing of a living
being (usually an animal) as an
offering to God. The most
important purpose of sacrifice
was for atonement (see Atone).
Saint. “Holy one.” Every believer
in Christ is a saint because
through faith in Christ he has
the holiness of Christ (see
Question 236).
Salvation. Rescue or deliverance;
especially the rescue from sin,
death, and the devil accomplished by Jesus, the Savior.
Sanctification. The work of the
Holy Spirit through the means
of grace. For the two different
ways in which the Bible uses the
word, see Sanctify.
Sabbath Day. The day of rest.
According to the ceremonial
law, the Israelites were commanded to rest from their work
on the seventh day of the week
(Saturday).
Sanctify. To make holy, used in
two different ways in the Bible:
1. to call someone out of the
unbelieving world to be holy
by bringing that person to faith
in Christ, enlightening him,
and keeping him in the faith
(sanctify in the wider sense);
2. to lead a believer to hate sin
and be eager to live a holy life
filled with good works (sanctify
in the narrow sense).
Sacrament. A sacred act that
Christ established for his
church, in which an earthly element is used together with
Sanctuary. A holy place set apart
for the worship of God. Both
the tabernacle and the temple
are called a “sanctuary.”
Robbery. Taking the possessions of
others by force.
—S—
Sabbath. Hebrew word for rest.
339
APPENDIX
Satan. “Adversary”; a name of the
devil.
Spell. A form of words believed to
have magical power.
Scripture. “Writing.” Usually the
word “Scripture(s)” refers to the
Bible.
Spirit. 1. A bodiless personal being
(e.g., God, angels, the devil,
demons); 2. “the Spirit” often
means the Holy Spirit; 3. the
new man that is given to believers by the Holy Spirit; 4. sometimes “spirit” means the same
as soul.
Second Birth. Same as Rebirth.
Secret Idolatry. Giving someone
or something first place in one’s
heart instead of God (see
Question 37).
Self-righteousness. Same as Workrighteousness.
Sensuality. Allowing oneself to
have sinful bodily pleasures.
Sin. “Missing the bull’s eye” of
God’s law by breaking one of his
commandments.
Sin of Commission. Doing something that God forbids.
Sin of Omission. Not doing something that God wants us to do.
Sinful Nature. A mind and heart
inclined only toward evil. All
men have a sinful nature
because they are born of sinful
parents. Also called Original Sin;
Flesh; Old Adam; Old Self; Old
Man (see Questions 126 and
127).
Slander. False statements that
harm someone’s reputation.
Sorcery. Witchcraft; the magic of
one who is aided by the devil.
Soul. The spiritual being which,
when united with a body, makes
a living human person.
Sovereign. 1. Having the highest
ruling power (adjective); 2.
highest ruler (noun).
340
Spiritist. Someone who supposedly communicates with the
spirits of the dead.
Spiritual Death. Separation from
the spiritual blessings of God. All
men are born spiritually dead
and remain that way until the
Holy Spirit quickens them, that
is, calls them to faith in Christ.
Sponsor. Someone chosen to
speak at the baptism of a baby,
who is to be concerned with the
spiritual welfare of the child as
he grows up. Sponsors are not
mentioned in the Bible and are
not necessary for a valid baptism (see the narrative following
Question 271).
Statute. A law.
Steadfast. Firm; unmovable.
Subdue. To take control of.
Substitute. One who takes the
place of another.
Suicide. The sin of killing oneself.
Superstitious. Trusting in powers
that God has forbidden.
Sustain. To hold up or support; to
keep alive.
GLOSSARY
Swear. To use God’s name to
assure someone that the truth is
being told.
Synod. A group of congregations
that unite to help each other in
the Lord’s work.
Time of Grace. The time of one’s
life on earth that God gives to
an individual as his only opportunity to come to faith in Jesus
and be saved (see Question 80).
—T—
Transgression. “Crossing the forbidden line” of God’s law by
breaking one of his commandments.
Tabernacle. The tent used by the
Israelites as a place of worship
from the time of the giving of
the law on Mt. Sinai until the
building of Solomon’s temple.
Temple. God’s house; a building
where he dwells and is worshiped. Believers are called the
temple of God because he lives
in them.
Tempt. To try to lead someone
into sin, false belief, or despair.
Temptation. Any situation in
which someone may be led into
sin, false belief, or despair.
Testament. A covenant. The Old
Testament books of the Bible
cover that portion of history
when the old covenant (the law
of Mt. Sinai) was in effect. The
New Testament books describe
the new covenant that Jesus
established by fulfilling the law
perfectly and by dying to earn
the forgiveness of sins (see
Questions 6 and 7).
Testify. To speak as a witness.
Testimony. A statement of what
one knows to be true.
Frequently testimony refers to
God’s Word or a portion of it.
Theft. Taking the possessions of
others secretly.
Transform. To change.
Trespass. Same as Transgression.
Tribulation. Suffering; affliction.
Trinity. The triune God.
Triune. Existing as both three (tri-)
and one (-une). The triune God
is three persons but only one
God (see Question 148).
—U—
Unblemished. Spotless; faultless.
Uncircumcision. Not being circumcised; sometimes used as a
picture of unbelief and disobedience.
Unrighteous. Morally imperfect;
sinful; contrary to God’s will.
Unrighteousness. Lack of righteousness; sinfulness.
—V—
Valid. Legally binding; acceptable.
Verbal Inspiration. See Inspiration.
Vicar. A student training for the
ministry who serves a congregation under the direction of a
pastor.
Vicarious. Performed by taking the
place of another; substitutionary.
341
APPENDIX
Vicarious Atonement. The sacrifice
of Jesus in our place, accepted by
the Father as payment for our
sins (see Question 181).
that an observer gives. To bear
witness means to give testimony
(noun). 3. To testify; to speak as
one who has seen (verb).
Visible Churches. Groups of people who gather to use the
means of grace (see Questions
242-244).
Word of God. That which God
has said either directly, or
through angels, prophets, or
apostles. The Bible is the written Word of God.
Vision. Something that is seen by
other than normal sight, such as
in sleep or in a trance.
—W—
Wickedness. Great sinfulness.
Witch. A woman who seeks supernatural power by making an
agreement with evil spirits.
Witchcraft. The attempt to do
things by the power of the devil
(see Question 48).
Witness. 1. Someone who is an
observer. The apostles were witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection.
Witnesses at a baptism observe
the baptism to verify that it took
place (noun). 2. The testimony
342
Workmanship. A product; something that has been made.
Work-righteousness. Trying to
earn righteousness before God
by one’s own works (see Question 254).
Worship. Any thoughts, words, or
actions that we direct toward
God as a way of praising him.
Wrath. Intense anger.
Written Law. The law of God as it
is written in the Bible.
—Z—
Zion. The hill on which Jerusalem
stands. “Zion” is also used as a
name for the church.
PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY
Aaron
Abednego
Abel
Abiram
Abraham
Absalom
Achan
Adam
Ahab
Ananias
Antioch
Arimathea
AIR-un
uh-BED-neh-go
AY-bul
uh-BY-rum
AY-bruh-ham
ABB-suh-lum
AY-can
ADD-um
AY-hab
an-uh-NY-us
AN-tea-uk
air-uh-muh-THEE-uh
Baal
Balaam
Balak
Barabbas
Barnabas
Bathsheba
Bereans
BAY-ul
BAY-lum
BAY-lack
bar-AB-bus
BAR-nu-bus
bath-SHE-buh
Burr-EE-uns
Caiaphas
Cain
Canaanite
Centurion
Corinth
Corinthians
Cornelius
KAY-uh-fuss
KANE
KANE-uh-night
sen-TOUR-ee-uhn
CORE-inth
cor-INTH-ee-uns
core-NEE-lee-us
Daniel
Dathan
David
DAN-yell
DAY-thun
DAY-vid
343
APPENDIX
Egypt
Eli
Elijah
Elisha
Elymas
Endor
Esau
Ethiopian
Eunuch
Eve
EE-jipt
EE-lie
ee-LIE-juh
ee-LIE-shuh
EL-ih-mus
EN-door
EE-saw
EE-thee-OH-pea-uhn
YOU-nock
EEV
Gabriel
Gaius
Galatians
Golgotha
Goliath
Gomorrah
GAY-bree-el
GAY-us
gah-LAY-shunz
GUL-ga-tha
go-LIE-uth
guh-MORE-ruh
Hannah
Herod
Hymenaeus
HAN (a as in bat)-nuh
HAIR-ud
hi-men-EE-us
Isaac
Isaiah
EYE-zack
eye-ZAY-uh
Jacob
Jairus
James
Jericho
Jerusalem
Jezebel
Job
Joel
John
Jonathan
Joseph
Joshua
Judas
JAY-cub
jah-EYE-rus
JAMZ
JERR-ik-koh
jerr-RUE-suh-lem
JEZ-uh-bell
JOHB
JOE-el
JON
JON-uh-thun
JOE-zef
JOSH-ooh-uh
JEW-das
Lazarus
Lot
LAZ-zuh-rus
LOT (o as in odd)
344
PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY
Machpelah
Martha
Melanchthon
Meshach
Moses
mack-PEA-luh
MARR-thuh
mel-LANK-thun
ME-shack
MOE-zuz
Nabal
Naboth
Naomi
Nathan
Nazareth
Nebuchadnezzar
Noah
NAY-bul
NAY-buth
nay-OH-my
NAY-thun
NAZ-zur-reth
NEB-uh-kud-NEZ-zur
KNOW-uh
Onesimus
oh-NES-ih-mus
Paradise
Paul
Pergamum
Peter
Pharisees
Philadelphia
Philetus
Philip
Philippi
Philippians
Pontius Pilate
Potiphar
PEAR-uh-dies
PAUL
PURR-gah-mum
PEA-turr
FAIR-ih-sees
fill-uh-DEL-fee-uh
fie-LEE-tus
FILL-up
fill-LIP-eye
fill-LIP-eh-unz
PON-chuz PIE-let
POT-uh-fur
Rome
Ruth
ROME
ROOTH
Samaritan
Samuel
Sapphira
Sardis
Saul
Shadrach
Shimei
Silas
Sinai
Sodom
suh-MARE-ih-tun
SAM-you-ell
sah-FIE-rah
SAR-dis
SAUL
SHAY-drack
SHIM-ih-eye
SIGH-Ius
SIGH-nigh
SOD-um
345
APPENDIX
Solomon
Stephen
SOLL-uh-mun
STEE-fun
Thomas
TOM-us
Uriah
you-RYE-uh
Zacchaeus
zak-KEY-us
346
INDEX OF TOPICS
Numbers refer to answers. Asterisk (*) indicates that the topic is found
in the paragraph(s) following the answer.
—A—
Abortion 82c
Absolution
second part of confession 323
spoken by pastor 317b,324
spoken by fellow Christian 328
to be received as from God
himself 326,328
Active Obedience of Christ
Jesus kept each commandment
for us 39a,51a,61a,77a,85a,
97a,106a,115a,124a
only Jesus could do this 30,176a
Address of the Lord’s Prayer
334-336
Administrator 318*
Admonition
given to an individual 113
given to a church body 249c
by God’s representatives 72
Adultery 90b,90c
Advent 59*
Amen 375
Angels
protect us 162,163
do God’s will 348a
evil angels:
sinned and were condemned to
hell 168
Christ is victorious over 200
Anger of God
punishment for the wicked
135a
should be feared 138
Anointing
of Christ 177
of prophets 178
of high priests 180
of kings 182
Apostles
wrote New Testament 8
Creed summarizes their
teaching 147*
Apostles’ Creed 151-264
history of 147*
Appearing of Christ (Epiphany)
59*
Ascension Day 59*
Ascension of Christ
part of exaltation 198
assures us of salvation 202
Assurance
see Certainty
Athanasian Creed 147*
Atonement
vicarious 181,189
Attributes of God
see Characteristics of God
Authority
people in—see Representatives
of God
347
APPENDIX
—B—
Baptism 265-284
a sacrament 264*
institution of 265-271
in name of triune God 268
of aduIts 270
infant baptism 271
administration of 271*,315b
emergency 271
sponsors and witnesses for 271*
offers and gives salvation
272,273
comfort of 274
Holy Spirit at work 275-277
word of God connected with
276-278
meaning for daily life 279-284
Baptize
meaning of the word 266
Believers
have eternal life 16b,261
use the law as a guideline
33,229
call God “Father” 152,334
share the gospel 204a
do good works 230,231
are holy 236
are called “Christians” 237
are known only by God 239
are given the keys 305,306
are heard by God in prayer 330
Belonging to Christ 209-212
Bible
need for 1-5
two parts 6-8
meaning of word 8*
books of 8*
translations 8*
the Word of God 9,151a
inspired 10
true 11
348
not to be changed 12
two main teachings 13
purpose 17
only place where gospel is
revealed 146a
Binding Key
what it is 304
how used 307
purpose 308
used publicly by pastor 315c
excommunication 316
Birth of Christ
celebrated on Christmas 59*
virgin birth 174
lowliness of birth is part of
humiliation 195
Bishops 318*
Blessings
from using God’s name 42
through God’s representatives
65-68
in marriage 89
promised for obeying the commandments 139
are undeserved 141
of Baptism 272-274
of Holy Communion 290-292
Blindness, Spiritual 214
Blood of Christ
ransom price 186-188
present in Holy Communion
287,288
Bodily Needs
see Needs, Bodily
Body
a gift of God’s goodness 157
protected by God 79
not to be harmed 82
dwelling place of Holy Spirit 95
decays after death 258
to be raised on Last Day 259
resurrection body 263
INDEX OF TOPICS
Body of Christ
name for holy Christian church
235,238
present in Holy Communion
287,288
Books of the Bible 8*
Born Again
see Rebirth
Bread
earthly element in Holy Communion 264*,286-288
daily bread 353-357
Burial of Christ
part of humiliation 195
commemorated on Good Friday
59*
—C—
Call to Faith 220-223
work of Holy Spirit 221
through means of grace 222,
240
pictures for it 223
Call to Public Ministry
see Divine Call
Capital Punishment 81
Catechism
a confession of the Lutheran
church 244*
Luther and the, page 24 of the
Introduction
our use of, page 24 of the
Introduction
Ceremonial Law 23*
Certainty
of truth of Bible 11
of God’s promises 151b
of Christ’s blessings for us 199203
of eternal life 192,212,
257b,274,292
of forgiveness of sins 256,257,
292,302a,325
of God’s answer to the Lord’s
Prayer 373-376
Chaplains 318*
Characteristics of God
known from creation 2
revealed in his Word 150
Jesus has them 172b
Holy Spirit has them 219b
Charity
helping those in need 83b,101b
kindness toward everyone 83a,
112c
Children
gift of God in marriage 89c
need to be baptized 271
instruction in God’s Word 246c
Children of God 334,335
Christ
meaning of title 177
true God 36b,172,175,176
true man 173,175,176
work of 184-193
humiliation of 194-196
exaltation of 197-208
belonging to 209-212
appearing of 59*
crucifixion of 195
descent into hell 198,200
incarnation 174
intercession 204b
sacrifice of 77b,124b,181
see also Active Obedience of;
Ascension of; Birth of; Blood of;
Body of; Burial of; Coming of;
Conception of; Death of; Judgment Day; Kingdom of; Office
of; Passive Obedience of;
Redemption; Resurrection of;
Second Coming of; Sitting at
349
APPENDIX
the Right Hand of God;
Suffering of
Christian 237
Christian Education
see Education, Christian
Christmas 59*
Church
what it is 235
called “holy Christian” church
236,237
called “communion of saints”
236,238
other names for 235*
invisible 239
produced and maintained by
means of grace 240,241
true and false visible churches
242-250
Christ protects 203
possesses the keys 305
Church Fellowship 246a
see Fellowship
Church Year 59*
Civil Law 23*
Close Communion 299-301
Comfort
a gift of God 225
from the gospel 145
from knowing that angels protect us 163
from Holy Baptism 274
from Holy Communion 292
from the use of the loosing key
310
from the absolution 323,324
Coming of Christ
commemorated in Advent 59*
see Judgment Day
Commandments, Ten
see Ten Commandments
350
Commission, Sin of
see Sin of Commission
Communion
see Holy Communion
Communion of Saints 236,238
see Church
Companionship in Marriage
89a,90a
Compassion of God 150c
Conception of Christ
by the Holy Spirit 174
beginning of humiliation 195
Condemnation
of devil and his angels 168
by nature we are condemned
184
see Hell
Confession of Sins 319-328
first part: admitting our sin
319-322
second part: hearing absolution
323,324
private confession 325-328
Confessions of Faith 147*,244*
Confidence
in prayer 335,336,375
see Certainty
Confirmation Instruction 301b
Congregation
a visible church 242
calls its pastor 312,313b,314
acts through called workers
271*,316,317,318*
Conscience
what we learn from it 3,4,19
not completely dependable 20
Contentment 104a,120
Contrition 282
Conversion 223a
Coveting 117-120
INDEX OF TOPICS
Creation
of the world 59*,153
of man and woman 154,155
a matter of faith, not theory
156
ruined by fall into sin 166
of new man in believers 130
what we learn from creation
1,2,4,157
Creed 147*
Crucifixion of Christ 195
see Death of Christ
Curb
a purpose of the law 31
Cursing 43
—D—
Daily Bread 353-357
see Needs, Bodily
Damnation 15
see Hell
Darkness, Spiritual 224
see Blindness, Spiritual 214
Deacons 318*
Dead, The
bodies raised on Last Day 259
judged by Christ 198,205
Death
entered world by the fall 166
by nature we are slaves of 184
deserved for our sins 15
Christ won victory over 183
eternal death:
threatened for all who break
commandments 135b
Christ redeems us from 191
see Hell
spiritual death:
by nature we have 214
Holy Spirit quickens from 223c
deliverance through Baptism
272b
temporal death:
end of time of grace 80
a sleep 192
body decays 258
Death of Christ
saved us from our sins 39b,51b,
61b,77b,85b,97b,106b,115b,
124b
commemorated on Good Friday
59*
Christ had to be true man for
176b
ransom price for our redemption 186
innocent 189
part of humiliation 195
Deliverance
from harm 161a
from death and the devil in
Baptism 272b
complete in heaven 371
Demons
see Angels
Denominations 242
Descent into Hell 198,200
Desertion 90c
Desires 117-125
holy 121,122,125,130
sinful 117,119,126,280
Despair 363b
Devil
leader of evil angels 168
enemy of God 349-352
enemy of faith and good works
233
tempted Adam and Eve 167
tempts us 364
by nature we are slaves of 184,
214
351
APPENDIX
use of his power forbidden 48
Christ victorious over 183,200
deliverance from 193,272b
Discipline 72-74
Disobedience toward God’s
Representatives 71,75
Divination 48a
Divine Call
authorized by Christ 314
guided by Holy Spirit 313b
necessity of 318*
Divinity of God
known from creation 2
of Christ 172
of Holy Spirit 219
Divorce 90c
Doctrine
see Teachings of the Bible
Doxology of the Lord’s Prayer
373-376
Drug Abuse 82a
Drunkenness 82a
—E—
Easter 59*
Education, Christian
expression of fellowship 246c
sponsors concerned about 271*
see Instruction; Teaching
Elders 318*
Elements, Earthly 264*
Emergency Baptism 271*
Encouragement in Faith and Life
through public worship 59c
through frequent Communion
302c
of godchild by sponsors 271*
Engagement 88*
352
Enlightenment 224,225
Bible needed as a light 5
work of Holy Spirit 224,225
through means of grace 240
Epiphany 59*
Eternal Life
see Life, Eternal
Eternity of God
known from creation 2
revealed in God’s Word 150b
Eucharist 285
Euthanasia 82c
Evangelism
see Mission Work
Evangelists 318*
Everlasting Life
see Life, Eternal
Evil
what it is 368,369
God keeps it away 161a,370a
God makes it work for our good
370b
God strengthens us to bear it
370c
complete deliverance in heaven
371
Evolution 156
Exaltation of Christ 197-208
what it is 197,198
assures us that he is our
Redeemer 199
descent into hell 200
resurrection 201
ascension 202
sitting at the right hand of God
203,204
second coming in judgment
205-208
Excommunication 316,317a
INDEX OF TOPICS
—F—
Faith
what it is 151
makes us children of God
152b,334
basis of Christ’s judgment 208
receives the blessings of Christ’s
redemption 213
worked by the Holy Spirit 215,
216
Holy Spirit uses means of grace
222
opposed by devil, world, sinful
nature 233
Holy Spirit keeps us in it 234
known only by God 239
importance of 255
of little children 271c
created or strengthened in Baptism 277b
strengthened in Holy
Communion 294b,302b
makes us prepared for Holy
Communion 298
God wants all to come to it
347b
Faithfulness
in use of our possessions 102
in our work for our employer
104b
of God 150c
Fall into Sin
devil led Adam and Eve into sin
167
original sin 127
ruin of creation 166
evil in our lives 368
False Prophets
see False Teachers
False Teachers
use God’s name to lie 46
dishonor God’s name 340a
fellowship forbidden with 248,
249
False Testimony 111
False Visible Church
how recognized 243,244,244*
fellowship forbidden with 248,
249
members may be saved 250
Family
providing for 101a
see Parents; Husband; Wife;
Children
Family of God 268
Fasting 297
Father, God the
first person of Trinity 152
our Father by faith
152b,334-336
Christ receives equal glory with
36b
Fear of God
what it is 35a
expresses our thanks 40
fear of his wrath 138
Fellowship 245-249
church fellowship 246a,299
prayer fellowship 246b
in Christian education 246c
in mission work 246d
forbidden with those who persist
in falsehood 248,249, 301d
Festivals
see Special Days
Flesh
see Sinful Nature
Forgiveness of Sins 251-257
accomplished by Jesus 16a,290
Jesus died to take away sins
39b,51b,61b,77b,85b,97b,
106b,115b,124b
353
APPENDIX
the true rest (Sabbath) 54
a gift of God 225
God forgives by declaring not
guilty 251,252
certainty of 256,257
given through means of grace
264*
in Baptism 272a,278
in Holy Communion 291a,292,
302a
binding key refuses to forgive
sin 304,307
loosing key forgives sin 304,
309,310,317
Fraud 103d
Fruit of Faith 228
see Good Works
Fulfillment
of God’s promise of a Savior 7
of God’s promises in the Bible
11b,151b
of Old Testament Sabbath by
Jesus 54
—G—
Gifts from God
life 79
body 79,157
marriage 87
children 89c
possessions 99
good name 108
blessings for obedience 141
eternal life 146c
forgiveness, peace, hope, joy,
comfort 225
bodily needs 355a
seen by faith 224,225
Giving
to those in need 83b,101b
for work of the church 101d
354
Glory
given to God alone 34,35
should not be given to idols 36
given to God in Lord’s Prayer
373c
of Christ, in his humiliation 194
of Christ, in his exaltation 197
of Christ, on judgment day 205
in heaven 262b
God
known from creation 1,2
jealous (serious about his commandments) 136,140
triune 148,149
a spirit 150a
characteristics revealed in his
Word 150
Jesus is 172,175,176
Holy Spirit is 218,219
Godchild 271*
Godly Life
God wants us to lead 347c
God’s name hallowed by 339b,
340b
God’s law is a guideline for 33,
229
Christ enables us to lead 344b
Holy Spirit leads us in 226
encouragement for 59c,279,
281,283,284,303
new man desires to lead 210b
prayer for God’s help in 341
Good Friday 59*
Good Name 108-116
protected by God 108
importance of 109
of others not to be harmed
110,114
of others to be defended 112a,
116
Good Works 226-232
what they are 230
INDEX OF TOPICS
Holy Spirit enables us to do
them 226,227
done as fruits of faith 228
guide is God’s law 229
“good” because of faith in
Christ 231
believers eager to do them 232
devil, world, and sinful nature
oppose 233
salvation not earned by them
254
see New Life; Godly Life;
Sanctification
Goodness of God
a characteristic of God 150c
in creating us 157
in preserving us 158
in protecting us 164
in sending Jesus 171
moves us to keep the commandments 40,52,62,78,86,98,
107,116,125
moves us to thank and serve
God 165
moves us to do good works
228,230
Gospel
one of two main teachings in
Bible 13
teaches that God sent Jesus to
save us 16,146b,146c
different from law 146
revealed only in Bible 146a
moves us to obey the law 147
summarized in Apostles’ Creed
147*
used by Holy Spirit (means of
grace) 222,240-242,264*
spreading the gospel 246d
Gossiping 110c
Government
has right to end life 81
paying taxes to 101c
see Representatives of God
Grace of God
definition 264*
a characteristic of God 150c
alone saves us 129
promised for obeying commandments 139
Greed 103e
Guideline
a purpose of the law 33,229
Ten Commandments as guidelines 40,52,62,78,86,98,
107,116,125
—H—
Hatred
forbidden by God 82e
new man hates sin 210b,226
Heaven
description of 262,263
perfect righteousness, innocence, and blessedness in 211
deliverance from all evil 371
Christ’s ascension into 202a
certainty that we will be in
heaven 202b,212
soul of believer goes there after
death 258
believers taken there on Last
Day 261
God preserves us until we reach
204c,234
Hell
punishment for sin 135b
soul of unbeliever goes there
after death 258
place of eternal torment for the
unbeliever’s body and soul
260
devil was condemned to 168,
169
Christ redeems us from 191
355
APPENDIX
Heterodox Church
see False Visible Church
High Priest
in Old Testament 180
Christ is our 177,181,204b
Holy
Old Testament Sabbath Day 53
God’s Word 57,62
God 150c
man and woman at creation
155
blood of Christ 187
believers are through faith
221,236
God’s name 338
keeping God’s name holy
339-341
Holy Baptism
see Baptism, Holy
Holy Christian Church
see Church
Holy Communion 285-303
a sacrament 264*
instituted by Christ 285,59*
real presence in 287-289
forgiveness of sins through 291,
292
Word of God in 293-295
preparation for 296-298
expresses unity in faith 299
close Communion 300,301
frequent use of 302
strengthens us in godly life 303
called pastor distributes 315b
Holy Desires
see Desires
Holy Ghost
see Holy Spirit
Holy Life
see Godly Life
356
Holy Ministry
see Public Ministry
Holy Spirit
is God 218,219
inspired the Bible 10
sent on Pentecost 59*,217
dwells in our bodies 95
caused conception of Jesus 174
his work of sanctification 220,
221,226
uses the means of grace to
bring to faith 216,222,240,
242
enlightens us 224
his gifts 225
enables us to do good works
226,227
preserves us in faith 234
gathers the church 238
at work in Baptism 275-279
leads congregations to call pastors 313b
prayer for 346
Homosexuality 93
Hope
a gift from God 225
Jesus is our 17,237
Humiliation of Christ 194-196
Husband
the head in marriage 89a
is to honor and love his wife 94b
Hypocrite 47
—I—
Idolatry
open 36
secret 37
Image of God 154,155
Impenitent Sinner
use of binding key on
307,308,316
to be excommunicated 316
INDEX OF TOPICS
Incarnation of Christ 174
Inerrancy of Bible 11a
Infant Baptism 271
Iniquity 134
Inner Being
see New Man
Inspiration of Bible 8,10
Instruction
of adults before baptism 270
confirmation 301b
by God’s representatives
65,67,72
see Education, Christian; Teaching
Intercession of Christ 204b
Interpretation of Bible 12
Invisible Church 239
see Church
—J—
Jealousy of God 136,140
Jesus
see Christ
Joy
a gift of God 225
eternal joy in heaven 262b
Judgment Day
part of Christ’s exaltation 198,
205
time is unknown 206,207
basis of judgment is faith or
lack of faith 208
bodies of all dead will be raised
259
unbelievers go to hell 260
believers go to heaven with glorious bodies 261,263
believers look forward to 264
Judgment of God
averted by discipline 73
on unworthy reception of Holy
Communion 300
announced by binding key 308
Justice of God 150c
Justification
justify defined 251
granted because of Jesus’ work
252
objective 253
rejected by some 254
subjective 255
Baptism offers assurance of 274
—K—
Keys 304-318
what is meant by the keys 304
use given to all believers 305
have the authority of Christ
306,318
the binding key 307,308,316
the loosing key 309,310,317
administered publicly through a
pastor 311,315c
Kindness of God 2
King
in Old Testament 182
Jesus Christ as 177,183,204c
Kingdom of Christ (God)
what it is 342
coming of 343-346
we are to seek it first 373b
Christ is King 177,183,204c
term applied to holy Christian
church 235*
—L—
Last Day
see Judgment Day
Law
one of two main Bible teachings 13
teaches what God wants us to
do 14,146b
357
APPENDIX
teaches that we are sinners who
deserve punishment 15,146c
written on hearts of all people
18,19,146a
written in the Bible 21,22,146a
Ten Commandments are a summary of 23,24
to be obeyed willingly and
gladly 26,27
to be obeyed perfectly 28,133
Jesus alone obeyed perfectly 30
threefold purpose of 31-33
different from gospel 146
Law of Moses 23*
Lent 59*
Life
eternal life:
believers in Jesus have 16b
Jesus preached good news of
179
certainty of 192,202b,257b,274
given through means of grace
264*,291b
physical life;
a gift protected by God 79,86
a time of grace 80
to be ended only by God and
his representatives 81
improper use of 82,84
heavenly Father provides for 158
to be devoted to Christ
209,284
spiritual life:
coming to faith 223c
given through means of grace
264*,291b
Light
Bible is 5
of faith 224
Liturgy 59*
Living Together 88*
358
Loosing Key
what it is 304
used for a penitent sinner 309,
310,317a
used by a pastor 315c,317b
Lord’s Prayer 334-376
a model 333c
acceptable to our Father 373
heard and answered 374-376
Lord’s Supper 285
see Holy Communion
Lord’s Table 285
Love
the simplest summary of God’s
law 24
for God’s representatives 69
between husband and wife 94b
love for God:
above all things 35b,40
God promises to bless those
who love him 139,142
expressed in good works
228,230
love of God:
a characteristic of God 150c
led him to send Jesus 16a,145,
170
led him to send the Holy Spirit
217
Lust 92
Lutheran Church 244*
Lutheran Confessions 244*
Lying
lying to or about someone 110a
using God’s name to lie 45a,46
—M—
Marriage
what it is 88
protected by God 87,98
entering it 88*
INDEX OF TOPICS
blessings in 89
sins against 90-93
ending 90c
husband and wife in 89a,94b
Maundy Thursday 59*
Means of Grace
definition 264*
used by Holy Spirit 222,240
identifying mark of the church
241
Baptism is 273
Holy Communion is 295
“Mercy Death” 82c
Mercy of God
in preserving and protecting us
164
led God to send Jesus 171
leads us to thank and serve him
165
Messiah 177
Minister
see Pastor
Ministry of the Keys
see Keys
Miracle
to preserve us 159b
of faith 223
Mirror
a purpose of the law 15,32,
146c,322
Ten Commandments serve as
38,50,60,76,84,96,105,114,
123
Mission Sunday 59*
Mission Work
we share our faith 49c,58c,
204a,247
an expression of fellowship
246d
prayer for 345b
Missionaries 318*
Money
see Possessions
Moral Law 23*
see Law
Murder 82c
—N—
Name of God
what it is 41,337
revealed to bless us 42
misuse of 43-48,50
proper use of 49,52
baptism in the name of triune
God 265,268
is holy 338
keeping it holy 339-341
prayer in Jesus’ name 374a
Natural Knowledge of God 1-4
Natural Law
what it is 18,146a
conscience bears witness to 19
Needs, Bodily
provided by God
158,160,353,354,356
provided through government
65
provided through parents 67
our thankfulness for God’s care
355
prayer for 357
New Life
gift of Holy Spirit 223c
granted in Baptism 278
the believer leads one 279,284
see Godly Life; Good Works;
Sanctification
New Man
what it is 130
in constant conflict with old
Adam 131,132
arises daily through Baptism 283
359
APPENDIX
New Self
see New Man
New Testament
what it is 7
apostles wrote it 8
books of 8*
repeats basic contents of the
Ten Commandments 23*
Nicene Creed 147*
—O—
Oath 44,45
Obedience of Christ
see Active Obedience of Christ;
Passive Obedience of Christ
Obedience to God’s Laws
in response to God’s love 25,26,
142,143,147,165
leads to wisdom, freedom, happiness 27
blessings promised for 139
perfect obedience required 28,
58b,133
threats against disobedience
138,143
Obedience to Those in Authority
God wants us to obey 69-71,
74,78
not when they tell us to sin 75
Objective Justification 253
Occult 48
Offerings for the Church 101d
Office of Christ 177-183
God anointed him 177
Prophet 179,204a
High Priest 181,204b
King 183,204c
Office of the Public Ministry
see Public Ministry
Old Adam
see Sinful Nature
360
Old Man
see Sinful Nature
Old Self
see Sinful Nature
Old Testament
what it is 6
God’s prophets wrote it 8
books of 8*
civil and ceremonial laws in 23*
Omission, Sin of
see Sin of Omission
Omnipotence of God 150b
Omnipresence of God 150b
Omniscience of God 150b
Order
preserved by God’s law 31
maintained by government 66
in congregational worship 59*
in administration of sacraments
271*,315b
Order of Service 59*
Original Sin 127
see Sinful Nature
Orthodox Church
see True Visible Church
Overdrinking 82a
Overeating 82a
Overseers 318*
—P—
Palm Sunday 59*
Parents
placed over us by God 64
honor for 63,69-71,74
many blessings given through
67,68
discipline their children 72,73
to be disobeyed if they tell us to
sin 75
INDEX OF TOPICS
to be consulted when contemplating marriage 88*
receive help from fellow
Christians in teaching their
children 246c
Passion of Christ
see Suffering of Christ
Passive Obedience of Christ
for our sins against the Ten
Commandments 39b,51b,
61b,77b,85b,97b,106b,115b,
124b
only Jesus could do this 176b
Pastor
a form of public ministry 318*
ordained by God 312
qualifications established by
God 313a
divine call is necessary 313b
preaches God’s Word 59b,315a
administers the sacraments
271*,315b
uses the keys 311,315c,316,
317,324
private confession to 325,326
Peace 225
Penitent Sinner
Holy Communion given to 301a
loosing key used on 309,310,
317a
Pentecost 59*
Perfection
God demands 28,133
we fall short of 29,144
Jesus obeyed perfectly 30
Person
three in Trinity 148,152,218
of Christ 172-176
Possessions
protected by God 99,107
how given by God 100
proper use of 101,102,104
improper use of 103,105
contentment with 120
helping others with their 122
threatened by the evil in the
world 369
Power of God
known from creation 2
can do all things 150b
will raise all people from the
dead 259
helps in our temptations 366
can do far more than we ask
374b
Praise
telling others about God’s blessings 49c
offered on Sundays and festivals
59c
appreciation for God’s goodness
165
Prayer
defined 329
who may pray 330
kinds of prayer 331
how to pray 332,333
Lord’s Prayer is a model 333c
in times of trouble 49a
regular 49b,332
boldness and confidence in
335,336,374-376
in Jesus’ name 49b,374a
closed with “Amen” 375
Prayer Fellowship 246b
Preaching
commanded by God 58c
by Jesus 179
of the gospel identifying mark
of the church 241
by called pastors 59b,315a
Preparation for Holy Communion 296-298
361
APPENDIX
Preservation 158-160
God provides all we need 158,
160,353,354,356
usually by natural means 159a
by miracles 159b
because of God’s mercy 158,
164
God deserves our thanks for
165, 355
also for the wicked 354
prayer for 357
Preservation in Faith
by God until we reach heaven
234,351b
Holy Spirit preserves the church
240
Priest, High
see High Priest
Priesthood of All Believers 305
Professors 318*
Promises of God
of a Savior 6,7
attached to Fourth
Commandment 68
of blessings for obeying his
commandments 139,141
of Holy Spirit 217
of blessings in Baptism 277a
of body and blood in Holy
Communion 294a
to supply bodily needs 353
to answer prayer in Jesus’ name
374a
certainty of 11b,151b
Property
see Possessions
Prophet
prophets wrote the Old Testament 8
anointed by God to preach 178
Jesus Christ as 177,179,204a
362
Protection 161-163
God keeps evil away 161a,370a
God makes evil work for good
161b,370b
angels used for 162,163
out of God’s mercy 164
God deserves our thanks for 165
what Christ is as our King 204c
prayer for 372
Providence
see Preservation
Public Ministry
God ordained 312
qualifications for 313a,318*
women in 313a,318*
divine call necessary for 313b,
318*
forms of 318*
Punishment from God
taught by the law 146c
threatened because of sin 135
we deserve 15,128,359b
we are freed by Christ 129,190,
191
unbelievers will suffer eternal
260
given by God’s representatives
72
Purity
God demands 94a,121
we lack 96
from sin through Jesus 51b
new man has 130,283
teaching God’s Word in its
purity 339a,347a
—Q—
Quickening 223c
—R—
Ransom 185-189
see Redemption
INDEX OF TOPICS
Real Presence 287-289
Rebirth
a picture for coming to faith
223b
needed by little children 271b
takes place at baptism 274,278
Redemption 184-193
name for Christ’s work 185
need for 184
ransom price 186-189
frees us from punishment of sin
190
frees us from hell 191,192
frees us from power of devil
193
confirmed by exaltation of
Christ 199,201b,202a
leads us to serve Christ 209,210
becomes our own through faith
213
Reformation Day 59*
Renewal 278
Repentance
what it is 282
necessary to receive Holy Communion worthily 301a
necessary for use of the loosing
key 309,310,317a
leading others to 113,308,316
Repentant Sinner
see Penitent Sinner
Representatives of God
those in authority in home,
church, and government 64
God blesses us through 65-68
God wants us to honor and
obey 63,69-71,74,78
discipline wrongdoers 72,73
to be disobeyed if they tell us to
sin 75
Reputation
see Good Name
Rest
on the Sabbath Day 53
in the forgiveness of sins 54,55
in heaven 262a
Resurrection
of all people on the Last Day
259
of believers to eternal life 261
resurrection body 263
certainty of ours 201c,212
Resurrection of Christ
part of exaltation 198
assures us of salvation 201,212
took place on Sunday 59*
Revealed Knowledge of God
his work of salvation 5,146a
his characteristics 148-150
Right Hand of God
see Sitting at the Right Hand of
God
Righteousness
of sinners before God because
of Christ 210a,251-253,255
in heaven 211
work-righteousness 254
of the new man 283
Robbery 103b
Ruin of God’s Creation 166,169
—S—
Sabbath Day
in Old Testament 53
no longer in effect 23*,54
Sacrament
defined 264*
used by Holy Spirit 222,240
identifying mark of the church
241
of Holy Baptism 265-284
of Holy Communion 285-303
Sacrament of the Altar 285*
363
APPENDIX
Sacrifice
of Old Testament priests 23*,
180
of Christ 77b,124b,181
Saint 236
Salvation
need for 32
revealed in the Bible 5,17
taught in the gospel 145,146b,
146c
accomplished by the active
obedience of Christ 39a,51a,
61a,77a,85a,97a,106a,115a,
124a.
accomplished by the passive
obedience of Christ 39b,51b,
61b,77b,85b,97b,106b,115b,
124b
by grace 129,170,171
through faith in Jesus 16b
given in the means of grace
264*
in Baptism 264*,272c,
in Holy Communion 264*,
291b,292
a purpose for using God’s name
42
God desires it for all 347b
Sanctification
the work of the Holy Spirit 220
wide sense 221
narrow sense 226
through means of grace 240
see Godly Life; Good Works; New
Life
Satan
see Devil
Scripture(s) 8*
Second Birth
see Rebirth
Second Coming of Christ
see Judgment Day
364
Self-righteousness 254
Separation from False Teaching
248,249
Sexual Intercourse 89b,90b,91
Shepherd (Pastor) 59b
Sin
what it is 134
of omission 29a
of commission 29b
sinful thoughts 118,128
original 127,184,214
entered the world through the
fall 166
the law reveals it 15,32,146c,
322
against First Commandment 36,
37
against Second Commandment
43,45-48
against Third Commandment
56
against Fourth Commandment
71
against Fifth Commandment 82
against Sixth Commandment
90-93
against Seventh Commandment
103
against Eighth Commandment
110,111
against Ninth and Tenth
Commandments 117-119
deserves punishment 15,359b
we are guilty of
15,38,50,60,76,84,96,105,
114,123,144
Jesus is victorious over 183
Sin of Commission 29b
Sin of Omission 29a
Sinful Nature
defined 126,184,214
INDEX OF TOPICS
in all people 127
in children 271b
opposes God’s will 137,349,
350c,351a,352
keeps us from believing in Jesus
215
in constant conflict with new
man 131,132,233
leads us into evil deeds 280,364
we deserve punishment for 128
Baptism reminds us to put off
281
put off by contrition and repentance 282
needs to be confessed 321a
prayer that will of sinful nature
not be done 352
Sitting at the Right Hand of God
part of Christ’s exaltation 198
activity of Christ while 203,204
Slander 110c
Slavery to Sin
by nature 184
Christ ransomed us from
185,186
freedom through Baptism 279
Son of God
name for Jesus 172a
became true man 174
resurrection proves that Jesus is
201a
see Christ
Sorrow for Sins
see Contrition
Soul
cared for by God’s representatives 65,67
a gift of God 157
Jesus has a human soul 173b
goes to heaven or hell after
death 258
threatened by the evil in the
world 369
Special Days 59*
Spirit 150a
see Holy Spirit; New Man
Sponsors 271*
Stewardship 101,102
Strengthening of Faith
when evils come 370c
by God 132,234,351b,370c
through Baptism 277b
through Holy Communion
294b,302b,303
prayer for 345a
Subjective Justification 255
Substitute (Jesus as)
see Vicarious Atonement
Suffering
a result of evil in the world 369
calling on God in 49a
rest in heaven from 262a
see Evil
Suffering of Christ
part of humiliation 195
ransom price to redeem us 186,
189
commemorated in Lent 59*
Suicide 82b
Sunday 59,59*
Swearing 44,45
Synod 318*
—T—
Tabernacle 23*
Talking
sinful 82d,82e,92,110,111
God-pleasing 94a,112,113
we have sinned in 96,114,321a
Taxes 101c
365
APPENDIX
Teachers 318*
see False Teachers
Teaching
by called pastor 315a
in truth and purity 12,339a,
347a
false 46,340a
law and gospel 13
prayer for proper 341
see Education, Christian;
Instruction
Teachings of the Bible
not to be changed 12
two main teachings 13
summarized in Small Catechism, page 24 of the
Introduction
Temple of the Holy Spirit 95
Temptation
defined 363
who tempts us 119,364,365
God protects us from 366,367
fleeing from 95
Christ redeemed us from the
power of 193
Ten Commandments 34-125
serve as a summary of God’s
law 23
use in Catechism 23*
see Law
Testing Visible Churches 243,
244,244*
Thanksgiving Day 59*
Thanksgiving to God
a proper use of God’s name 49d
for his goodness 165
for bodily needs 355b
shown by keeping his commandments 40,52,62,78,86,
98,107,116,125,147
shown by serving Christ 210c
366
shown by doing good works
228,230
shown by forgiving others 361
Theft 103c
This We Believe 244*
Thoughts
sinful thoughts forbidden 82e,
92,103e
we have sinned in our thoughts
96,321a
God knows our sinful thoughts
118
sinful thoughts condemned
118,128
God-pleasing thoughts 94a
Threats of God
against those who break his
commandments 135,136
should lead us to fear his anger
and obey him 137,138,143
Time of Grace 80
Transgression 134
Trespasses 358,359
Trinity 148
see Triune God
Trinity Season 59*
Trinity Sunday 59*
Triune God
one God in three persons 148,
149
Father 152
Son 172
Holy Spirit 218
baptism in name of 265,268
in Apostles’ Creed 147*
True Visible Church 244,245
Trust
defined 35c
expresses our thanks 40
in God for our daily needs 356
INDEX OF TOPICS
in God’s promises 11b,151b
in the righteousness of Christ
255
Truth
of God’s Word 11a,57
opposed by devil 169
confessed by Lutheran church
244*
teaching God’s Word in its truth
339a,347a
love for it 249a
—U—
Unbelief
will be judged by Christ 208
is a darkness 224
Unbelievers
condemned to hell on Last Day
260
their prayers are not heard 330
Unfaithfulness, Marital 90c
Unity of Faith
in the communion of saints 238
expressed in fellowship 245
expressed in Holy Communion
299,302c
Use of the Keys
see Keys
—V—
Verbal Inspiration 10
Vicarious Atonement 181,189
Vicars 318*
Victory
of Christ over sin, death, and
devil 183,200,202a
our victory over temptation 366
Virgin Birth 174
Visions 12a
—W—
Wastefulness 103a
Water in Baptism 264*,266,267
Wife
helper to husband 89a
is to honor and love her husband 94b
Will of God 347-352
what it is 347
done by angels 348a
done on earth 348b,351
opposed by devil, world, and
sinful nature 137,349-351
prayer that God’s will be done
352
equivalent to the moral law 23*
see Law
Wine
earthly element in Holy Communion 264*,286-288
Wisconsin Synod 244*
Wisdom of God 2
Witchcraft 48
Witnesses of Baptism 271*
Women in Public Ministry 313a,
318*
Word of God
Bible is 8*,9-12,151a
is living and active 9
to be placed above the word of
others 35a
despising God’s Word 56,60
hearing God’s Word
55,58a,58b,59b,62
sharing God’s Word 58c
is holy and true 57
made all things 153
taught by prophets and Jesus
178,179
to be taught in its truth and
purity 244,244*,339a,347a
367
APPENDIX
used by Holy Spirit as a means
of grace 222,240,264*
in Baptism 267b,276-278
in Holy Communion 293-295
Work
a blessing of God 100a
faithfulness in 104b
rest from work in heaven 262a
Work-righteousness 254
World
corrupted in the fall 166
enemy of faith and good works
233,364
opposes God’s will
349,350b,351a
prayer that the will of the world
not be done 352
368
Worry 356
Worship
in Old Testament 23*,53
public 59,59*,317b,324
Sunday as a day for 59*
as an expression of fellowship
246a
prayer is an act of 329
Worthiness
none in man 164,359a
for Holy Communion
296-298,300
Wrath of God
see Anger of God
Written Law 22,146a
see Law
INDEX OF SCRIPTURE PASSAGES
References are made to question numbers. Asterisk (*) indicates that the
passage is found in the paragraph(s) following the answer.
OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis
1:1,2—219
1:1–2:3—153
1:26—148
1:26-31—154
1:27—154
1:27,28—89
1:28—154
1:31—368
2:7—79,154
2:16,17—127
2:17—135
2:18—89
2:19-24—87
2:24—88,89
3:1-5—111
3:1-6—27,167,350,
363
3:1-19—166
3:6—127
3:15—171,193
3:16-19,23,24—368
3:17,18—135
3:17,19—135,159
4:1-16—135
4:2-15—82
4:3-5—230
4:5-7—82
6:4-7—128
6:5—126
8:21—126,137
8:22—159
9:3—159
9:5,6—79,81
13:5-12—104
13,14—35
14:12-16—104
14:13-24—122
17:1—41,150
19:1-29—161
22:1-18—139
22:1-19—35
23:16-19—100
24:57—88*
25:29-33—105
27:1-35—76
32:9-10—100
32:10—164,359
33:5—89
33:10,11—100
37:11-35—82
39:1-9—35
39:2-6,20-23—104
39:6-12—91
39:8-10—122
39:16-20—109,110
45:3-15—83
45:4-8—370
45:8-11,16-23—83
50:15-21—83,361
50:20—161,370
Exodus
2:1-10—161
4:11—157
7-11—374
14—161
14:5-12—38
16:1-8—38
16:1–17:7—159
19:10—297
20—22
20:2—25
20:4,5—36
20:7—42
20:11—153
20:24—42
21:18,19,23,26,27—
82
21:22—23*
21:22-24—82
21:29—82
23:4—122
30:30—180
32—36
32:19-24—71
34:5-7—41,337
34:6,7—150
35:2—53
Leviticus
5:17—29
16—180
369
APPENDIX
17:10-14—186
19:2—121,133,150
19:12—45
19:16—109
19:31—48
19:32—70
19:35—103
23:3—53
23:26-32—297
Numbers
6:27—268
21:4-9—294
22:6-12—43
23:10—371
23:19—11,149,289
35:16-18—82
Deuteronomy
4:2—12,339
4:24—31,136
5:1-22—23
5:9—136
5:9,10—140
5:22—22
5:29—140
6:4—148
6:13,15—136
7:9—139
8:17,18—100
10:4—23
10:12—142,165
11:26-28,32—143
18:10-12—48
18:15—177
21:18,21—71
32:4—150
32:39—81
33:27—150
Joshua
7:19—320
7:20,21—117
370
Ruth
1:15-18—69
2:11,12—69
15:2-6—119
16:5-14—43
18:14-17—71
23:2—10
1 Samuel
1 Kings
1:9-20—89
1:10-16—333
2:22-25—71
2:29—72
2:30-32—73
3:1-6—69
3:1-18—58
3:11-14—73
3:13—72
4:10,11—73
6:20—359
8:20—182
9:17—182
12:24—40,165
15:1-23—56
15:22,23—135
16:7—239
16:12,13—182
17—151
17:32-50—35
19:1-6—112
19:4-6—69
20:30-32—112
24:1-7—69
25:32-34—84
28:7-25—48
31:4—82
2:19—70
17:1—135
17:1-16—159
18:16-18—135
18:17-39—36
19:9-18—239
19:14-18—250
19:16—178
21:1-16—119
21:3—100
21:4-16—103
21:8-14—45
2 Samuel
11:1-4—90
11:2-17—82
12:1-5—119
12:1-13—323
12:1-14—113
12:7-14—340
15:1-6—110
15:1-12—71
2 Kings
2:23,24—71
1 Chronicles
29:11—373
Ezra
10:11—320
Job
1:13-19—369
1:13-22—99
2:7—369
2:11-13—369
10:11,12—157
17:1—369
19:13-20—369
19:25-27—212,259
19:26—258
31:15—157
33:4—219
38,39—156
38:4—156
38:36—157
INDEX OF SCRIPTURE PASSAGES
Psalms
10:2,3—117
14:1—1
16:11—211,262
17:14—351
19:1-4—1
19:7,8,11—27
19:12—321
22:1,2,14-17,24—
173
23—370
23:4—370
23:6—261
24:1—102
25:7—76
26:5-7—210
26:8—59
31:9-13—369
31:14—151
31:15—81,82
32:1-5—257
32:5—319,323,324
33:4—289
33:6-9—153
36:6,7—158
37:5,40—35
37:21—103
37:25—160
37:25,26—353
38:1-8—135
38:3-6,18—322
38:3-7—310
38:4—325
38:18—282,310,322
38:21,22—310
39:1—52
40:8—226
42:2—150
46:4—235*
48:2—235*
48:10—339
49:7,8—176,188
50:15—49,161
51:1,2,9—360
51:1-12—96
51:3,4—319
51:4,17—282
51:5—127,271,321
51:8,9—310
51:9—251
51:10—94,227
51:10-12—234
51:11—219
51:13—223
51:17—282
54:6—42
55:1,2—360
62:10—37
65:3,4—215
66:20—360
69:16—360
71:5—225
73:25—35
78:4-7—246
82:5—215
84:10—59
85:2,3—251
86:11—35
90:3—81
91:9,10—161
91:10—370
91:10,11—162
91:11—163
94:11—118
94:17-19—370
95:6,7—25
100:2,4,5—210
103:1—338
103:1,2—165
103:10—190
103:11—139
103:13—67
103:20—163,348
104—2
104:14—159
104:24—2
106:1—165
107:21—62
109:2—110
113:9—89
115:3—348
118:1—49,164,355
119:9—33,229
119:11—35
119:16—62
119:14,35,45—27
119:30,31—249
119:32—227
119:47—26
119:50—225
119:58-60—142
119:72—58
119:80—138
119:103—62
119:103-105—249
119:104,112—226
119:105—33,229,230
119:114,116—11
119:120—31,138
119:133—58
119:161,162—62
121—370
122:1—58,59
124:8—35,153
127:3—89
139:7,8—219
139:14—157
143:2—144
145:1,2—52
145:2,10-12—49
145:3-5—59
145:9—150
145:15,16—
158,353,354
147:11—231
371
APPENDIX
Proverbs
1:3,5,8,9—67
1:10—95,363
3:5—37
6:16-19—111
6:23—74
6:25—363
8:13—35
10:12—112
11:9—108
11:13—110
11:25—104
12:26—363
13:24—72
14:35—71
15:26—118
16:8—103
16:28—109
17:6—89
17:9—110
18:10—42
18:22—87
19:5—110
19:18—73
20:9—123
21:6—103
21:19—90
22:1—108
22:6—246
22:16,22—103
23:13—73
23:20,31-33—82
23:22—70
23:31—363
25:9—110
28:13—323
30:5—57
30:8,9—363
30:11,17—71
31:8,9—112
372
Ecclesiastes
5:1—56
12:7—157,258
Song of Songs
1:15,16—89
4:1-7—89
5:10-16—89
Isaiah
1:15—330
5:8—119
30:19—360
32:17—225
40:1,2—317
41:10—234
42:8—34,41,337
43:11—25
45:12—154
45:21—34
50:10—35
53:5—134,186
53:5,6—189,252
53:6—61
55:6—80
55:10,11—241
55:11—242,250
57:21—135
59:2—321,359
59:12—321,359
61:1—179
61:10—210,225
64:6—144,231,321
66:24—260
Jeremiah
1:7—178
14:14—12,46
17:5—37
23:24—150
23:28—339,347
23:31—46
31:34—251
Lamentations
3:22—170
3:22,23—257
Ezekiel
11:19,20—130
18:4—135
33:11—170
36:23—340
Daniel
3:1-18—35
6:1-4—104
6:1-23—35
6:10,11—49
6:16-23—161,162
9:3,19—329
12:2—192,259
Hosea
4:1-3—66
14:2—333
Joel
1:3—246
2:28—217
Malachi
1:6-8—340
2:10—152
2:7,8—340
3:8-10—101
NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew
1:18-20—195
1:18-20,24—88*
1:20—174
1:21—41,337
1:22,23—174
INDEX OF SCRIPTURE PASSAGES
1:23—172
2:13-21—162
3:8—317
3:16,17—148,218
4:1-10—39
4:1-11—349
4:2—173
4:10—34
4:24—85
5:3-10—27,139
5:8—121
5:14,16—339
5:21,22—82
5:23,24—327
5:27,28—92
5:28,29—128
5:33-37—45
5:42—101
5:45—354
5:48—28,133
6:6—332
6:7—333
6:8—354
6:9—373
6:9-13—333
6:14,15—358
6:25-34—158,356
6:33—373
7:6—247
7:7,8—374
7:9-11—335
7:11—100
7:15—249
7:22,23—48
8:5-13—151
8:23-27—49,172
9:2—323
9:6—172
10:28—135,157,191
10:32,33—50
10:37—37,75
11:28—302
11:28,29—54,257
11:28-30—344
12:1-7—115
12:28—219
12:36—108
12:37—244*
13:14—215
13:36-43—169
14:1-4—113
14:3,4—119
14:20—103
15:7,8—47
15:8,9—329
15:9—12,46
15:21-28—151
15:37—103
16:16—172
16:16,17—216
16:19—304,314,
326,328
16:26—188
17:5—39,179
18:6—271
18:7—349
18:10—348
18:15—113,308
18:15,17—308
18:15-18—301,307
18:17—316
18:18—308,315
18:18,20—305,
306,318
18:20—241
18:21,22—232
18:32-35—361
18:35—83
19:5,6—88,88*
19:9—90
19:16-22—37
19:17-19—14
19:18—23*
19:26—159
20:28—186
22:10-13—260
22:15-18—111
22:19-21—77
22:37—35
22:37-40—24
23:25-28—47
24:36—206
24:42,44—207
24:43—103
25:1-13—80,207
25:14-30—102
25:31,32—205
25:31-46—208
25:34—170
25:35,36—83
25:34,46—261
25:41—168
25:41-46—15
25:41,46—135,260
26:2—173
26:6-13—115
26:26,28—294
26:26-28—222
26:26-29—285,286
26:28—291
26:38—173
26:41—366
26:47-56—194
26:63,64—44
26:69-75—38,45
26:74,75—50
26:75—282
27:3-5—363
27:5—82
28:6,7—172
28:18—172,203
28:18,19—265
28:19—148,218,246,
267,271,315
28:19,20—204,241,
244
28:20—172,332
373
APPENDIX
Mark
1:8—266
1:15—213
4:38—173
5:1-20—172
6:21-28—45
7:3,4—266
7:10,11,13—9
7:21,22—126
9:24—302,345
10:6—154
10:14,15—246
10:45—176,196
12:41-44—101,230
14:3-9—230
14:22-24—287
14:22-25—285
15:15—195
15:22,24—195
15:37—195
15:37,44-46—173
15:46—195
16:15—58,204,246,
253,315,347
16:15,16—208
16:16—260,272,277
16:19—198,202
Luke
1:26-38—174
1:34-37—289
1:37—374
1:50—139
1:68,74,75—209
2:1-14—195
2:8-12—145
2:10—225
2:10,11—16
2:11—172
2:12—173
2:40—173
2:41-47—61
374
2:51—77
4:16—61
5:17-26—172
6:12—51
6:33,35,36—361
6:37—112
7:1-5—112
8:1—179
8:4-15—55
8:14—56,350
8:49-56—192
9:51-55—84
9:58—195
10:16—56
10:23—224
10:30-37—103
10:33-35—83
10:38-42—58,60
11:1—333
11:2—373
11:3—160,356
11:4—358
11:28—58,229
12:15—103
12:15-21—37
14:15-24—213
14:16-24—56,254
15:11-20—103
15:11-32—76
15:21—282,319,327
16:19-24—80
16:22,23—258
16:22-24—135
16:23,24—260
17:3—113
17:10—141
17:11-19—49,50
17:20,21—239,342
17:21—183
18:10-14—307
18:13—32,144
18:13,14—309
18:15-17—271,271*
19:1-10—210,230,
283
19:8—101
21:28—264
22:14-20—285
22:19,20—287,291,
292,298
22:54-61—350
23:34—85,115
23:43—258
23:46—258
24:39—150,173
John
1:2—172
1:3—172
1:17—13,22
1:29—176,181,253
2:1-11—172
2:22—58
3:3,5—274
3:3,6—223
3:5—275
3:5,6—271
3:6—127
3:16—16,145,146,
172,213
3:16,17—171
3:17—253
3:18—208
4:24—150
5:22—172
5:22,23—36,172
5:24—55
5:28,29—259
5:39—17
6:3-13—159
6:11—51
6:40—259,347
6:45—58
6:63—293
INDEX OF SCRIPTURE PASSAGES
6:68—179
8:12—224
8:31—244,245
8:31,32—344
8:34—27,184
8:34,36—190
8:42—36
8:44—110,169
8:46—176
8:46,47—61
8:47—56
10:3,4—342
10:16—238,240,345
10:30—148
10:35—11,12
11:11-14—192
11:25—201
11:25,26—191
11:35—173
11:38-44—172
11:39—258
12:1-6—111
12:1-8—210
12:6—103
12:48—208
13:2—110
14:2,3—202
14:13,14—374
14:19—201
14:26—10
15:5—227
15:16—215
15:26—148
16:7,13—217
16:13—149
16:23—49,330
16:33—351
17:3—151
17:5—197
17:6-8—41,337
17:6-8,25,26—51
17:17—11,57,149,
222,339
17:20,21—245
18:3-6—194
18:36,37—183,342
18:37—177
19:26,27—77
19:28—173
20:17—152
20:19,26—59*
20:21-23—305
20:22,23—324
20:23—304,307,309
20:24-29—151
20:28—172
20:31—7,17,58
21:15—246
21:15-17—282
21:17—59,150,172
Acts
1:14—246
1:25—82
2:1-13—217
2:1-21—218
2:23,36—370
2:32,33,36—199
2:38—222,272,275
2:38,39—269,277
2:38-47—222,240
2:39—271
2:41-47—245
2:42—246
2:42,46—58
2:47—235
3:17,18—370
3:18—6,7,178
3:19—223,309
4:4—58
4:20—49
5:1-11—47
5:3,4—219
5:14—235
5:29—75
5:31—199
6:1-7—246,318*
7:57-60—192
8:4—58,246
8:26-39—277
8:26-40—269,270
8:35-39—222
10:38—177
10:42—198
10:44-48—222
11:21—223
11:22,29—245
11:26—237
12:5-11—162
13:1—242
13:6-12—48
13:36—192
13:42-48—55
13:42-50—56
14:17—2,160
14:22—369
14:23—242,313
15—245
15:3—223
15:41—242
16:5—242
16:29,30—4
16:29-32—5
16:29-34—269,270
16:30,31—213
17:10-12—55
17:11—58
17:25,28—79
17:31—173,205
20:7—59*
20:21—282
20:28—59,64,313
22:16—272
24:15—259
26:17,18—214,224
375
APPENDIX
Romans
1:2—57,338
1:3—173
1:4—172,201,212
1:7—236
1:11,12—246
1:16—13,16,145
1:17—255
1:18—135
1:20—2
1:21—20
1:23—36
1:26,27—93
1:29-32—114
1:32—3
2:14—31
2:14,15—3,18,19,
146
2:18—21
2:23,24—340
3:10,12—359
3:12—30,321
3:19,20—32,322
3:20—15
3:22,23—15,184
3:22,28—255
3:23—144,176
3:23-26—252
3:24,25—295
3:28—147
4:5—255
4:6—254
4:6-8—251
4:7—302
4:16—256
4:20,21—151
4:25—201
5:1—225
5:2,3—225
5:5—216,343
5:8,10—115
5:9—291
376
5:12—127,135,166,
184
5:17—129
5:18—253
5:19—39,106,176
5:20,21—257
6:2,3,6,12,13—281
6:3—272,273
6:3,6—279
6:4—198,283
6:4,5—279
6:6—351
6:13—283
6:22—209
6:22,23—291
6:23—15,128,135,
321,359
7:2—88
7:7—14,21,32,322
7:7,8—117,123
7:14-25—257
7:18—126,184
7:18-23—233
7:19—302
7:19,24—322
7:19,25—350
7:22—130
7:22-25—132
7:25—131
8:1—190
8:5-10—227
8:6,7—214
8:7—126,350
8:7,8—137
8:8—349
8:15—335
8:22—166,368
8:24,25—225
8:27—219
8:28—161,370
8:32—164,355,374
8:33—251
8:34—193,204
8:35—363
8:37-39—366
8:38,39—204
9:5—172
9:16—164,231,343
10:3—254
10:4—213
10:10—244*
10:13—42
10:14—151
10:17—151,222,294
11:6—254
11:27—291
11:35—141,164
12:1—147
12:1,2—33
12:2—229
12:5—238
12:14—43
12:18-21—82
12:20—83
13:1—64
13:2-4—72
13:3—66
13:4—64,81
13:6—66
13:6,7—101
13:7—69
13:8-10—22,23*
13:9,10—24
13:13,14—94
14:2—20
14:9—183
14:17—343,344
15:4—17
15:13—225
16:17—248,301
1 Corinthians
1:2—221,235,236
1:18—215
INDEX OF SCRIPTURE PASSAGES
2:4,5—11
2:9—4
2:9,10—146
2:10,11—219
2:12,13—10
2:14—215
3:11—237
3:16—219
3:16,17—235*
4:1—318
4:2—102
5:4,5—318
5:4,5,13—316
5:5—308
6:9,10—93
6:11—221
6:14—212,259
6:18,19—95
6:19,20—209
7:2-5—89
7:15—90
7:17—120
8:4—148
8:7—20
10:12,13—366
10:16—288,295
10:17—299,301,302
10:21—285*,297,303
10:24—104
10:31—165,339
11:3—89
11:11—94
11:20—285*
11:20-22—297
11:23-25—285,293
11:24—285*
11:24,25—291,315
11:24-26—299,301
11:25—302
11:25,26—292
11:26—302
11:27—288
11:27,28—296
11:27-29—298
11:27,29,30—300
11:28,29—301
12:3—216,343
12:6,11—219
12:12,14-26—157
12:13—238,268
13:5-7—112
14:33,34,37—313
14:33,40—315
14:40—59*,271*
15:3—124
15:17—201
15:22,23—201
15:25—204
15:33—95,350
15:42-44—263
15:52,53—263
15:54,57—191
15:56,57—183
16:2—59*,101
2 Corinthians
1:3,4—225
2:6-8,10—317
2:7—310,323,363
2:10—311
3:17—219
4:4—350
4:4,6—224
4:6—5
4:17—370
5:1,2—262
5:8—258
5:14,15—147,228,
284,303
5:15—33,98,209
5:15,17—344
5:17—226,227
5:17,18—130
5:19—251,253
5:19,20—64
5:19,21—252
5:21—97,189
6:1,2—80
6:14,17—248
7:1—248,249
7:10—282
8:9—106,194,196
9:7—101,105
9:8—160,232
11:3—233,249,350
12:7-10—370
13:8—249
13:14—41,148,218
Galatians
1:4—368
2:16—256
2:20—132,227,230,
344
3:8,10—146
3:10—15,136
3:12—146
3:13—106,190
3:23-25—23*
3:26—152,334
3:26,27—255,274
3:27—268,273,284
4:4—173,174
4:4,5—152,176,334
4:9-11—59
5:1—23*
5:4—254
5:6—228
5:9—249
5:13—69,122
5:17—131,233,280,
349
5:17,19-21—350
5:19—23*
5:19-21—84,280
5:22,23—283
377
APPENDIX
5:24—125
5:24,25—226
6:2—246
6:10—232
6:14—351
Ephesians
1:7—186,225,290
1:11—348
1:13,14—257
1:20-22—203
1:22,23—235*
2:1—184,214
2:1,3-5—129
2:3—127
2:4,5—223
2:8,9—255
2:10—226,227
2:19—268
2:19,20—237
2:20—17
3:12—256,335
3:14,15—339
3:16—234
3:20—374
4:1—339
4:3-6—238
4:7-10—202
4:10—197
4:10,11—204
4:11—312
4:11-13—59
4:11-16—246
4:17,18—215
4:18,19—20
4:21-24—130
4:22-24—125,283
4:24—155,210
4:25—88*,116
4:28—107
4:31,32—83
4:32—360,361
378
5:1,2—26
5:1-4—98
5:2—181,210
5:3,4—92
5:5—91
5:12—92
5:19,20—49
5:20,21—78
5:23—235,238
5:24,25—89
5:25,26—240,267,
276
5:25-27—236
5:33—94
6:1—64
6:1,2—63
6:2,3—68
6:4—67
6:7—78
6:10-18—351
6:11,12—233
6:18—332
Philippians
1:23—371
1:23,24—258
2:4—122
2:6-8—194
2:9—197
2:9-11—199
2:13—227
3:7-11—255
3:8,9—256
3:20—264
3:20,21—212
3:21—263
4:6—52,331,355
4:8—94,121
4:11-13—120
4:14-16—246
4:19—353
Colossians
1:10,13—209
2:6,7—284,303
2:9—175
2:11,12—281
2:12—277
2:13—190,223
2:13,14—16,146
2:13,14,16,17—54
2:15—200
2:16,17—23*
3:3,4—344
3:4—211,262
3:5—105
3:5,6—96
3:9—110
3:10—155
3:12,13—86,116
3:15,16—342
3:16—55,59,246
3:17—40,147,210,
228,230,231
3:19—90
3:20—64,69,78
3:21—72
3:22,23—104
3:25—359
1 Thessalonians
2:7—67
2:11,12—317,325
2:13—9,151
2:18—349
3:5—363
4:1,3—347
4:1,7—98
4:3-5—91
4:7—226
4:13-18—192
4:17—261
5:11—246
5:12,13—69
INDEX OF SCRIPTURE PASSAGES
5:14,15—83
5:17—49,332
5:21,22—243
5:23—221
2 Thessalonians
1:11,12—339
2:13—220,264
2:13,14—222
3:10-12—100
1 Timothy
1:1—237
1:9,10—31
2:1—331
2:1-4,8—246
2:3,4—253,347
2:5—173,175
2:8—332
2:11-13—313
2:12—318*
3:1-7—313
3:8—318*
4:13—315
4:16—65
5:4—70
5:8—67,101
5:13—110
5:20—315
5:22—94
6:6-8—104
6:9,10—103,363
6:10—119
6:20,21—156
2 Timothy
1:9—170
1:9,10—171
1:10—191
1:12—151
2:13—150
2:14—247
2:16-18—249
2:17—249
2:19—239
2:22—95
2:25,26—169
3:1,2—71
3:15—5,17,146,
222,246
3:16—10
4:2—59,72,325
4:2,5—315
4:3,4—12,244
4:8—264
4:18—204,371
Titus
1:5—312
1:6-9—313
1:9—325
1:11—249
1:13,14—249
2:11-13—210
2:13—225
2:14—209,226,228
3:1—69
3:5—219,223,254,
275
3:5-7—274,277,278
3:7—257
3:8—232
3:10—248,249
Philemon
12—122
Hebrews
1:1—6
1:1,2—8
1:3—172
1:14—162,163
2:1—60
2:9—197
2:14—173,176,183,
193
2:14,15—272
2:18—366
3:1—177
3:4—1
4:2—56
4:2,9-11—55
4:9,10—262
4:12—9
4:12,13—60,118
4:14,15—30
4:15—97,124,176,
189,366
4:15,16—302
5:1—180
5:13—301
6:1—301
6:16—44
7:26—97
7:26,27—181,189
9:7—180
9:12—185
9:14—219
9:15—7,185
9:24,26—181
9:26—124
9:27—80
10:10—77
10:12—204
10:23-25—302
10:24,25—246
10:25—56,59
10:31—73
11:1—151,294
11:3—156
11:4—230
11:6—227,330
11:24-26—35,107
12:10—161
12:11—74
13:4—87,90
379
APPENDIX
13:5—104,120
13:7—65
13:7,17—63,69
13:8—172
13:9—244
13:15,16—107
13:17—311,312
James
1:6,7—375
1:13—365
1:14,15—119,363
1:17—99,355
1:22—60
1:22-24—56
1:25—140
2:8—14
2:10—133,321
2:14-17—105
2:15,16—353
3:2,6—114
3:9—50
3:10—43
4:1,2—123
4:2—117
4:2,3—374
4:4—349
4:7—193,351
4:11—110
4:13-15—356
4:17—29
5:4—103
5:5,6—119
5:12—45,50
5:15,16—320
5:16—246,320,327
5:19,20—249
1 Peter
1:3—201
1:5—234,351
380
1:14-16—125
1:15,16—28
1:18,19—187,188
1:23—9,223,276
1:25—59
2:2—59
2:9—49,52,305
2:9,10—235*
2:9,11—221
2:13,14—63
2:15—347
2:22—77
2:22,23—85,115
2:24—85,290
2:25—223
3:1,3,4,7—94
3:8-10—116
3:9—82
3:12—330
3:15—247
3:18—39
3:19—198,200
3:20,21—272
3:21—273,278
4:1,2—125
4:8—112
5:2—59,312
5:7—158,355,356
5:8—169,350
5:8,9—351
5:10—234,351,370
2 Peter
1:16—12
1:17—172
1:21—10
2:1—249
2:1,2—340
2:3—12
2:4—168
2:10,11—163
2:18—364
2:20—351
3:2—8
3:5,6—156
3:13—211
3:16—12
3:17,18—345
1 John
1:3—247
1:5,6—249
1:7—51,187,190
1:8—38
1:8,9—301
1:8,10—307
1:9—251,309,320,
323
2:1—204
2:2—181,253
2:5—140
2:15—37,56,233
2:15,16—350
2:16—364
2:23—36
3:1—334
3:2,3—125
3:4—29,134
3:5—51,124
3:8—167,170,184,
193,350,351
3:15—82,128
3:17—101
3:23—86
4:1—243
4:7,20—83
4:8,9—25
4:10—146
4:19—26
5:3—26
5:14—373
5:20—172
5:21—36
INDEX OF SCRIPTURE PASSAGES
2 John
9—244
10,11—244*,248,301
11—249
3 John
5-8—246
Jude
4—12
6—168
Revelation
1:5,6—186,236
1:7—205
1:10—59*
2:13-16—244
3:4—242
3:7—338
3:8-10—244
5:11—163
7:14—210
7:14,15—211
7:15-17—262
11:15—212
12:9—167,364
12:10,11—193
12:12—169
14:4,5—211
14:13—262
19:9—262
20:13—259
20:15—260
21:2—235*
21:3,4—262,371
22:18—12
22:18,19—244,249
22:19—12
22:20—264
381